The Daily Slop – 11 June 2026
Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles 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, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!
Commanders links
Articles
Commanders Roundtable
Nick Allegretti Ready to be Full-Time Center for Commanders
There are advantages to the scheme shift, such as the simple chance at increasing communication across the offensive line, while Allegretti noted the tempo offense is still “in our pocket” when quarterback Jayden Daniels dictate the change in pace.
Yet there are still adjustments that come with it as Allegretti noted the offensive line has focused on getting a “quick step” to force the defense to adjust early on downs.
Of course, he isn’t alone at the position with rookie Matt Gulbin adding depth with hopes the Michigan State and Wake Forest product can elevate the competition. But Allegretti sees areas of growth for himself after noting “under center snaps with some wide zone, with some pulling” is a continued focus with that expected to return to the Commanders’ playbook under Blough, along with the obvious focus of accurate snaps.
The chance to make that transition against a developing, yet complex defense under new coordinator Daronte Jones adds to the challenge with “six, seven, eight” defensive fronts the defense is showing the offense forcing the offensive line to “draw our eyes to a lot of different places.”
Commanders Roundtable
Nick Cross Ready to be Impact Player for Commanders Defense
“Just cut on the tape. Everywhere in Indy, I played everything. Here I play everything. I can do literally anything on the field and I take pride and joy in that, knowing that I can play literally anywhere in that back seven and make an impact,” Cross said after day one of week three of OTAs.
Cross will now look to build on what proved to be a quietly successful stint with the Colts where his 72 solo tackles and 2.5 sacks ranked the third-most among NFL safeties in 2025. Cross, who has also missed just one game over his four seasons, also led all NFL safeties with 33 run stops resulting in an unsuccessful offensive play during the 2025 season.
Head coach Dan Quinn pointed to Cross, Quan Martin and Will Harris as the trio the coaches are leaning on while pointing to the physicality the former Colts starter adds to the backline, especially inside the box.
“He’s got more speed maybe than even I thought, playing in the deep part of the fields,” Quinn added.
Commanders.com
Joshua Josephs has ‘something to prove’ during rookie year
“No matter what feat you accomplish, you’ve always got something to prove. You’ve always gotta be hungry.”
Josephs, the Commanders’ fifth-round pick in April, shortens the phrase down to an acronym: “S2P.” He picked it up from Appalachian State quarterback Malachi Singleton, who has been using the phrase since his childhood. Josephs admired how consistently Singleton kept to the saying, so he decided to adopt it for himself.
Josephs certainly proved himself while at the University of Tennessee. He recorded 104 tackles with 9.5 sacks and eight pass breakups in his career with the Vols. He was a two-year starter in 2024 and 2025 and led Tennessee with three forced fumbles two years ago. In 2024, he led all edge defenders with a 91.4 run defense grade with an 86.4 pass rush grade. He also put up positive grades in both areas (74.9 and 78.4, respectively) in 2023, albeit on a limited snap count.
[H]e’s going to live up to defensive coordinator Daronte Jones and defensive line coach Eric Henderson’s vision for him.
Heavy.com
Commanders WR Treylon Burks Standing Out Again at OTAs
This is the second time Selby has reported from the team’s offseason workouts that Burks has looked good.
“Burks made a pair of impressive grabs during last week’s OTA practice, and the former first-round pick was at it again with a tough sideline catch where he managed to get his knee in bounds,” wrote Selby on June 3. “Burks has an ideal NFL frame at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds.
“If the receiving room does end up staying the same for the regular season, it would be ideal if he managed to emerge as a No. 2 option for the offense.”
Selby has either really liked what he has seen in Burks this month. Or, he’s helping the Commanders push the narrative that the team doesn’t need to add another receiver in free agency. Selby works for the Commanders, so fans should take any of his hype for players at offseason workouts with a grain of salt.
It’s possible both situations are true. Selby might just be emphasizing anytime Burks looks good at practice.
Commanders Wire
Wes Welker offers update on rookie WR Antonio Williams
Wes Welker, when asked about rookie Antonio Williams, talked about how it is so hard for a rookie receiver to adjust from college to the NFL.
Welker really caught me by surprise. I mean, why wasn’t Welker responding about how well Williams has done thus far? Just last week, Jayden Daniels, Commanders QB, when asked about Williams, said, “Very crafty within his routes. And I am excited to build that rapport with him.”
Welker knows something about playing the position. This week, he said, “Just getting better and better each day, that is where he (Williams) is right now.”
Riggo’s Rag
Washington Commanders roster clashes with new urgency after 2026 OTAs
Commanders RB rotation
The Washington Commanders’ ground game wasn’t utilized effectively enough last season. This strategy needed to change to limit the risk to star quarterback Jayden Daniels, and Adam Peters took decisive action over the offseason.
There is now depth, proven production, and high upside in Washington’s backfield. And it already looks like there will be a significant fight for prominent involvement.
Rachaad White turned down offers from elsewhere to reunite with his former college quarterback, Daniels. Jerome Ford signed a one-year deal, and Jeremy McNichols was re-signed to further bolster Washington’s options.
The Commanders still have Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who is dealing with a minor injury right now but should still have an important role to play. There is also intrigue around sixth-round rookie Kaytron Allen, who has not come to make up the numbers.
Everyone is getting a chance to impress, and they are responding positively. Several caught the eye over OTAs, and though the tests and intensity will rise over the summer, each running back on the field managed to leave a positive impression.
There will be more clues as we go along. But for now, the competition is off to a roaring start.
Photos
Podcasts & videos
Win With Styles | Commanders Log: Season 5, Episode 3
NFC East links
Bleeding Green Nation
Nick Sirianni wouldn’t get into why Jalen Carter isn’t participating in team drills
The head coach was asked if Jalen Carter skipping out on voluntary minicamp practices, and being limited during the two-day mandatory minicamp, was due to a contract issue or an injury. Sirianni wouldn’t say, and noted only that Carter was working in individual drills (not full team activity), and that’s where he is at this point in the offseason.
After some follow-up about Carter’s shoulder, Sirianni said that the fourth-year defensive tackle has been working really hard to be in the best position going into training camp.
Other notables
Sirianni wasn’t ready to commit to Tanner McKee at QB2, and noted that they’re rotating reps between McKee and Andy Dalton. He said that they have a lot of time before they have to make that decision, and right now the two backup quarterbacks are rotating days with the twos.
ESPN
Eagles sign AJ Epenesa months after Browns balked on deal
The Philadelphia Eagles have signed defensive end AJ Epenesa months after the Cleveland Browns backed out of an agreement to sign him.
The Eagles announced the signing Wednesday but did not disclose terms.
The Browns had agreed to a one-year deal with Epenesa worth up to $5 million on March 18, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. But Cleveland opted against finalizing the contract after the veteran had his physical, a source told ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi on March 29.
Epenesa, 27, has spent all six of his NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Originally a second-round pick by Buffalo in the 2020 NFL draft, Epenesa has been a reliable member of the team’s defensive line rotation over the years and a strong backup. He has played in 91 games with 19 starts.
Epenesa has recorded 24 sacks in his career, but he tallied only 2.5 sacks over 16 games in 2025 after recording 19 across the previous three years.
Blogging the Boys
What Cowboys history says about HC Brian Schottenheimer calling plays
Schottenheimer, while recognizing all the benefits of being a walk-around head coach, has no intention of giving up playcalling any time soon.
I’m the playcaller here. I love being the playcaller here. I’m pretty good at it, I think. So that is never going to change – I should never say “never” – maybe in 10-12 years from now maybe I will.
Being the head coach matters, and I think it’s how you start it. Right now, I’ve been in probably 50% of the offensive and 50% of the defensive meetings. Why? Because I think I have to be the head coach.
After Week 1, 2025, ESPN looked at the playcallers around the league to see which teams were having their head coaches calling plays, and which teams had delegated that responsibility to their offensive coordinators. [O]f those 20 teams, 16 (or 80%) had their head coaches calling plays. The four exceptions last year were Dan Campbell in Detroit, Nick Sirianni in Philadelphia, Brian Daboll in New York, and Jim Harbaugh with the Chargers.
That means the NFL’s clearly preferred model (at least in 2025) is for a head coach with an offensive background to call his own plays. Jerry Jones on the other hand has expressed a preference for a walk-around head coach in the past, and Cowboys history goes both ways.
NFL league links
Articles
ESPN
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes to make over $500M in reworked deal
The new money on the deal is worth $239.05 million, with the total value now at $504.75 million from 2026 through 2033, with the first four years being guaranteed at signing. All $504.75 million becomes guaranteed through contract mechanisms.
Mahomes can make up to $522.25 million through incentives and escalators. Beginning in 2027, when the new money begins, the deal averages $64 million per year, setting an NFL record for average annual value.
This is the third time in six years the Chiefs and Mahomes have reset the quarterback market.
The Chiefs…have now committed $689.05 million in new money to Mahomes from 2022 to 2033, in hopes of extending one of the great dynasties in NFL history.
Discussion topics
ESPN
Best NFL offenses in 11, 12, 13, 21, 22 personnel groupings
12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR)
Why it works: It’s a more balanced formation that allows offenses to dictate matchups based on defensive personnel (base or sub packages). With two tight ends on the field, a traditional Y and a “move” player, offenses can flex to three-wide sets or use the play-action passing game. In the run game, they can create a wider porch to set edges.
The team that ran it the best in 2025: Atlanta Falcons. On 400 snaps in 12 personnel, the Falcons had a 50.16 EPA, second highest in the league. They had an NFL-best 2,455 yards and 49 total explosive plays (28 rushes, 21 passes), too. With their alignment versatility, running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. allowed the Falcons to effectively use the grouping. And we should expect them to continue using 12 personnel at a high rate, as new coach Kevin Stefanski was in charge of Cleveland’s snap-leading offense last season.
The team to watch in 2026: Philadelphia Eagles. Under new coordinator Sean Mannion, I expect the Eagles to show more 12 personnel in 2026 (264 snaps last season). The team can pair veteran tight end Dallas Goedert and rookie Eli Stowers, a seam stretcher who can pick up extra yards after the catch. Plus, in Mannion’s system, look for quarterback Jalen Hurts to see more under-center reps, which leads to timing, boot and play-action concepts out of 12 personnel. Keep an eye on the Saints here, too.
aBit o’Twitter
