The Daily Slop
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
The Athletic (paywall)
Should Brandon Aiyuk’s social media posts give the Commanders pause?
Let’s dive into the mailbag, shall we?
How realistic of an option is Brandon Aiyuk for the Commanders?
I know that earlier in the offseason, the Commanders were interested in him to the extent that they would consider a one-year, highly incentivized deal if and when the San Francisco
49ers ever release him.
The thinking was that if Aiyuk played anywhere close to the level he did a few years ago, then the Commanders would have two excellent receivers with him and Terry McLaurin, with depth and speed behind them. If things went south with Aiyuk, the Commanders could get out at no real cost.
But this was before the erratic Instagram rants that have created worry about Aiyuk’s frame of mind. What was once a seemingly minimal-risk option now appears more concerning.
He has seemed to achieve what he wants by drawing headline after headline with his social media posts, but the long-term prospects of a return no longer seem as promising.
mayor.dc.gov
Mayor Bowser Releases Draft Master Plan to Guide the Transformation of the RFK Campus
A master plan is a planning tool that guides how a large site, like the RFK campus, will grow and change over time. The draft RFK Campus Master Plan was developed through analysis, public engagement with over 1,700 people at 33 events, and coordination across DC Government. Once finalized, it will steer the efforts of District agencies involved in the site development, coordinate priorities with federal stakeholders, and provide guidelines for development and infrastructure improvements.
The master plan divides the 180-acre site into six districts, each with distinct characteristics, from entertainment hubs to housing, recreation, and ecological areas. Some key components of the plan include:
- A flexible series of parks and open spaces to serve everyday community needs and event day gatherings.
- Increased access to the Anacostia River and Kingman and Heritage Islands.
- 5,500-6,500 new housing units in the area, with at least 30% designated as affordable housing units.
- A new roadway system that supports both gameday and everyday traffic and promotes walkable amenities, green spaces, and community gathering places for everyday use by neighbors and visitors.
- Space for commercial development including retail, hotels, and office space.
Commanders Rountable
Ben Sinnott knows the new Washington Commanders’ offense “really fits” his skillset in 2026
The lone game that Sinnott played in over 50% of the offense’s snaps in 2025 came in the week three win against the Las Vegas Raiders where he played in just 56.9% of plays.
That changed after veteran Zach Ertz went down in week 13, leading Sinnott played at least 55% of the snaps in each of the final four games to give him a chance at more consistent production where he totaled 73 yards on seven catches and nine targets.
Now preparing for year three, Sinnott is confident that David Blough’s system “really fits my play style.”
“I think just the way that it’s all structured with this [offense], it fits my play style more. Play action, outside zone run game. It’s kind of more what I did in college,” Sinnott said.
Riggo’s Rag
Stefon Diggs keeps putting Commanders homecoming dream in plain view
Veteran free-agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs was recently seen working out at his alma mater, the University of Maryland. At the very start of the video, the experienced pass-catcher is shown using footballs with a Commanders logo.
Probably nothing, but it may also have been a subtle message as his name gets lost in the Aiyuk smoke.
Diggs made it clear that he would like to speak with the Commanders about a possible homecoming at this stage of his career. He’s keeping all his options open, but it wasn’t hard to dissect what his preferred destination would be if given the chance.
Diggs also comes with baggage, though he remains highly productive. He went over 1,000 receiving yards with the New England Patriots last season as they reached the Super Bowl. And now that his legal issues are resolved, a market may form in the near future.
Diggs looks sharp. He looks ready for another chance. He’s focused on football and getting his body right. And the message being sent couldn’t be much clearer.
More from Riggo’s Rag on Diggs:
It also sounded like Diggs was going to ask whether Washington would be willing to give him a shot, but he’s also planning to take his time before deciding on the next path.
“I’m familiar with the city and familiar with the people, so we’re going to see down the pipe over these next couple of months what looks good and what makes sense. I definitely wanna shed some light on them and might go check them out for a little bit, you know. It’s love. It’s home town, so it makes sense.”
ESPN
2026 NFL offseason grades: Draft, trades, more moves by team
Washington Commanders: C+
Biggest move: Signing Edge Odafe Oweh
Move I liked: Signing S Nick Cross
Move I disliked: Firing offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury
Washington opened its offseason by firing both Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. The former dismissal was a curious choice. Although the Commanders massively disappointed by going 5-12 in 2025, the defense was the biggest culprit, ranking 30th in EPA per play.
Of course, quarterback Jayden Daniels’ injuries didn’t help — nor did his late-down efficiency crashing back to Earth after a banner 2024 — but the fact that the Commanders were middle of the pack in offensive EPA per play without Daniels for half the season (and were actually more efficient without him!) is a testament to the offensive coaching. If anyone should have been on the hot seat after 2025, I think it should have been head coach Dan Quinn, not Kingsbury.
Riggo’s Rag
Johnny Newton reaches the point where promise no longer buys time
In Washington’s Week 17 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, he had three sacks and five quarterback hits, more than doubling his season totals in both categories.
New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones will have an interesting puzzle to solve with Newton. He is unlikely to start, but in the new 3-4 scheme Washington is expected to utilize, he’ll see his number called anytime Javon Kinlaw, Daron Payne, or Tim Settle Jr. need a breather.
Ideally, most of that usage will come on obvious passing downs, where he can provide a spark to the Commanders’ blitz.
The upcoming campaign needs to be Newton’s season to shine.
CBS Sports
2026 NFL hot seat rankings
5. Dan Quinn
When it comes to the NFC East, it would be easy to include Nick Sirianni in these hot seat rankings. But let’s talk about Dan Quinn.
Washington took some major swings this offseason, signing pass rusher Odafe Oweh to a $96 million deal and drafting linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7 overall. The Commanders’ defense should be better than it was in 2025, but will it be good enough to support Daniels and the offense?
Even if the defense improves, there’s no denying Daniels is the engine that makes this team go. As a rookie, he became the second quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, while racking up more total touchdowns (37) and total yards (5,416) than any first-year player in NFL history. If Daniels struggles to stay on the field, the Commanders will struggle to win games. Another losing season could lead Adam Peters to make a change.
Podcasts & videos
Stefon Diggs BREADCRUMB! STILL WANTS the Washington Commanders, Does AP Want Him or Aiyuk?
Charles Omenihu: The Journey, Dan Quinn & His Washington Commanders Chapter
NFC East links – Video version
ALERT: 5 BIGGEST Takeaways After Rewatching Dallas Cowboys 2025 Season | Can O-Line Bounce Back?
NFL league links
Articles
Sports Illustrated
NFL Uniform Rankings: Every Team’s 2026 Look, From Worst to Best
#8 Washington Commanders
The Commanders are blending the past and future with their upgraded uniform set, moving their Super Bowl–era throwbacks from a season ago into a primary role in 2026 and beyond. “Updating but not forgetting about our heritage, who we are, and honoring that,” team owner Josh Harris explained of the new kits. “ … We’re going to continue to embrace our past, but then update it.” The Commanders are also adding a new “Hail Raiser” alternate set, featuring an all-black look that includes a spear running through their traditional W logo on their helmets.
Discussion topics
Commanders Wire
Do Commanders have the NFC’s best quarterback room?
The Washington Commanders have one of the NFL’s best quarterback situations. The Commanders have 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, backed up by one of the league’s top backups, Marcus Mariota.
Is the duo of Daniels and Mariota enough to be considered the NFC’s top quarterback room? Not according to CBS Sports analyst Emory Hunt, who ranks Washington as the NFC’s No. 4 quarterback room.
Here is Hunt’s top eight NFC QB rooms:
- 1. San Francisco 49ers
- 2. Seattle Seahawks
- 3. Dallas Cowboys
- 4. Washington Commanders
- 5. Green Bay Packers
- 6. Detroit Lions
- 7. Minnesota Vikings
- 8. Atlanta Falcons
