The Daily Slop – 14 July 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!
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
Commanders links
Articles
Commanders Roundtable
Commanders can change outside narrative around Jayden Daniels with “dynamic” offense in 2026
After dazzling en route to an NFC Championship game appearance and Rookie of the Year Award in 2024, injuries proved to be the tale of year two for Daniels after seven appearances and four complete games in 2025.
The noise has led to some skepticism from NFL media as to whether the LSU product can stay healthy in the NFL, a question that he also faced for his at-times bold runs during his Heisman Trophy season in 2023.
Yet the skillset Daniels showed when he was healthy is reason for optimism from NFL media — and continued confidence around Washington ahead of year three. Daniels was tabbed an honorable mention selection by ESPN after analyzing the best quarterbacks heading into 2026, yet the arguably disappointing selection came with praise after an NFL personnel evaluator noted he “would still take him over the other quarterbacks [from his draft class] from a pure quarterback, decision-making standpoint.”
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Bleacher Report
Five 2nd-Year WRs Primed to Break Out in 2026 NFL Season
Jaylin Lane, Washington Commanders
Although the Commanders could bring in a veteran receiver like Stefon Diggs, the young players at the position could still get enough opportunities to break out.
As a rookie, Lane played a minimal role on offense, recording 16 catches for 225 yards while on the field for just 37 percent of the snaps.
However, Lane showcased his playmaking ability on special teams, returning 23 punts for 314 yards and two touchdowns and three kicks for 56 yards. If the Commanders find ways to get him the ball in space, he could rack up big gains in the passing game as well.
In terms of breakout potential, the possibility starts with opportunities. For now, Lane is in competition with Treylon Burks, who hasn’t played up to his 2022 first-round pedigree, Luke McCaffrey and rookie third-rounder Antonio Williams for the No. 2 receiver spot. He could play his way into a bigger offensive role with a strong showing through training camp.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Riggo’s Rag
Deatrich Wise’s experience & versatility can help Commanders’ defensive depth
[Wise] signed a one-year deal last year, and he earned a starting job on the edge. Wise may lack pass-rushing explosiveness, but his ability to make plays against the run left everyone hopeful regarding his outlook.
Unfortunately, this was short-lived. Wise suffered a season-ending quad injury in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers and wasn’t seen again. Some thought this would be the end of his brief time in Washington, but Peters gave him another shot.
Wise signed a one-year deal again. But this time, his starting position is all but gone. And in all honesty, making the 53-man roster should be his primary objective above all else.
The Commanders made some hefty defensive investments at all three levels. Their edge rushing room looks much stronger now, and Daronte Jones’ projected switch to a 3-4 base front should make this an aggressive, creative unit.
That could leave Wise on the outside looking in. At the same time, he’s got the experience and versatility to be a useful depth piece with a strong training camp.
Wise has the size to operate as a 3-4 outside linebacker or a 3-4 defensive end. His strength, especially against the run, could help fill the void if injury strikes. The 2017 fourth-round pick out of Arkansas also has some experience as a special-teamer throughout his career, which is essential for anyone a little lower down the depth chart.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders Rountable
Commanders: 5 offensive players with the most to prove in 2026
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Washington will turn to a committee approach in 2026 with Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White likely anchoring the room, but the former seventh-round pick might have the most to gain in the unit. Position coach Anthony Lynn pointed to the lack of opportunities rather than ability as reason why Croskey-Merritt hasn’t been featured more in the passing game, so does that change in 2026?
Yet the bigger question will be whether he can take the next step as a pass blocking back, an area that both Lynn and head coach Dan Quinn pointed to as one to improve in ahead of year two. Croskey-Merritt has already shown he can be the speed back in the room, but 2026 will be about managing elevated responsibilities. Could a strong second season materialize into a feature role in 2027? It’s worth noting that only Robert Henry, an undrafted free agent addition out of UTSA, is the only other running back currently under contract beyond 2026, paving an opportunity for Croskey-Merritt.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders.com
Commanders 2026 opponent breakdown | Arizona Cardinals
- Who is their starting quarterback? On paper, it should be Brissett, who returns to the team after passing for a career-high 3,366 yards in 2026. But as it stands right now, Brissett is in a contract dispute with the team and could be in a competition in training camp. The team did draft Beck, and there may come a time when he starts a game during the season, but the preferred path is for him to sit and learn. Gardner Minshew is also on the roster, which would have a better shot at pushing Brissett for the starting job. There’s a chance we’ll see all three players under center by the end of the year, but it’s also likely that the Cardinals will be looking for their next quarterback in 2027.
- Can Jeremiyah Love make a difference? Love going to the Cardinals was not a surprise by the time they were on the clock, but it’s still uncommon for a running back to be taken that high. Love is certainly worthy of the pick, but there is legitimate concern about whether he can make a meaningful impact as a rookie behind a struggling offensive line. Love’s vision, speed and burst were the best in his class, and he’ll need all three to have a good rookie season in Arizona.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
The Athletic (paywall)
The biggest challenges facing new offensive play callers
Washington Commanders: David Blough
Can the rookie play caller better protect Jayden Daniels?
Kliff Kingsbury positioned Daniels for great success as a rookie, but he did little to evolve the offense, and the QB endured a battered and bruised Year 2. Washington went from the NFC Championship Game to 5-12. Coach Dan Quinn opted against experienced replacements for Kingsbury and instead elevated assistant quarterbacks coach Blough, 30, to OC. Blough played under Ben Johnson in Detroit and Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota. He aims to design an attack that better supports Daniels with an upgraded rushing attack and better use of play action and RPOs to keep defenders off balance. But will a lack of experience hinder the third-year coach?
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Podcasts & videos
Scary Terry Breakout Season? Ed Oliver Joins & Fictional Football Players | Get Loud | Commanders
NFC East links
Bleeding Green Nation
NFL survey has Jalen Hurts ranked outside of the top 10 quarterbacks
One year after placing ninth in this activity, Hurts has dropped down to being the very last name in the “honorable mention” category (which puts 16 total quarterbacks ahead of him … coincidentally, Pro Football Focus recently ranked Hurts similarly as QB15).
Funny enough, the provided blurb for Hurts is more positive than critical:
“I know it has been up-and-down, but I’m still betting on the Super Bowl credentials, the intangibles and the toughness.” — AFC offensive coach
Quarterback discussion tends to be pretty polarizing and Hurts is no exception to this dynamic. If anything, he might be the most polarizing player at his position. His biggest supporters can point to his Super Bowl success, his second-most wins in the NFL since 2022, and the kind of characteristics mentioned by this AFC coach. His biggest detractors can point to an Eagles passing offense that’s been uneven for multiple years now, Hurts’ declining rushing production, and personality questions.
Blogging the Boys
Most intriguing newcomer on each team Cowboys will face in 2026
Week 1 & 17 – New York Giants
TE Isaiah Likely
No offense to the fifth overall pick this year, Arvell Reese, but the Giants most intriguing newcomer is TE Isaiah Likely. This is an interesting matchup right out of the gate for Cowboys’ rookie Caleb Downs. Likely proved he has what it takes to be a go-to receiving threat during his time in Baltimore and will likely be a favorite of second-year QB Jaxson Dart.
Week 2 & 18 – Washington Commanders
LB Sonny Styles
Washington signed Odage Oweh to a big money contract to hopefully upgrade their pass rush, but it’s their first-round pick, Sonny Styles, who gets the nod as their most intriguing newcomer. The seventh overall pick this year was continuously linked to the Cowboys throughout the pre-draft process and is one of the most physically gifted LBs we’ve seen in quite some time.
NFL.com
Tony Romo: My only regret is not winning the Cowboys a Super Bowl
“I’m not a guy with big regrets, I guess you could say,” Romo said. “The only regret I guess I would have is that my job was to bring a Super Bowl to Dallas and I didn’t do it. So that always sticks with me a little bit because you give your whole body, heart, soul, everything into it, and you just wanted that for all the fans, for the Joneses, for everybody that you’re around.
“So that one always sticks with me a little bit just because I had that opportunity and just wasn’t able to do it. So that part of it kind of still sits there.”
“But at the end it was like I could go somewhere else and do it,” he said. “Because I was like, I gotta win a Super Bowl. It’s literally what you play the game for. Nothing else matters. And it just was like but would that be the same if I went somewhere else and did it? Because at that point I’d known the game at such a high level. My last 20, 25 games, we were pretty successful when healthy, but I was getting injured more often. Body breaks down in some ways through the years. I think just it was as simple as it just wouldn’t feel as important.”
Romo’s inability to find postseason success will overshadow the memory of his on-field play, which at its peak was top-shelf. It’s a fate that Prescott and the current Cowboys crew are trying to avoid repeating.
NFL league links
Articles
Pro Football Talk
Jon Gruden wants to become a play-by-play announcer
“I was a broadcaster for nine years; hell’s bells,” Gruden said on The Ira Kaufman Podcast, via JoeBucsFan.com. “I want to be play-by-play. You know, Frank Gifford, he transitioned into the play-by-play role. I would like to transition. I had nine years of watching these guys — [Mike] Tirico. And I’d like to give that a shot, man.”
Of course, it could be difficult for Gruden to get a shot with any of the NFL’s current broadcast partners. His tiger-by-the-tail lawsuit against the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell would complicate any such efforts, to say the least.
Pro Football Focus
5 NFL players set to return in 2026 after missing all of last season
WR Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
There were several interesting options in this final spot, including the 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk and current free agent Joe Mixon. But given tremendous uncertainty surrounding health and/or contract situations, it’s a genuine unknown how much (if at all) either will play in 2026.
On the other hand, the circumstances finally appear to be trending upward for Beckham. After being released by the Dolphins during the 2024 campaign and being suspended for six games due to a performance-enhancing drug violation last year, he’s now back with the Giants on a one-year pact.
Beckham’s stint with Miami two years ago was a very forgettable one. He caught only nine passes for 55 yards across nine games, culminating in a career-worst 50.1 PFF receiving grade and 0.52 yards per route run. However, the former star was a reliable contributor for John Harbaugh’s Ravens in 2023 with a 77.0 receiving mark and 2.5% drop rate.
Discussion topics
The Athletic (paywall)
What can Patriots QB Drake Maye do for an encore after near-MVP season?
He led the league in completion percentage, yards per attempt and quarterback rating. And he did all of that with, frankly, a just-OK supporting cast.
That last part is why there’s so much excitement around Maye and the Patriots entering this season. The thinking is simple: If that’s what Maye could do last year with a middling setup, imagine what he could do this year with, at least on paper, a better offensive line, a better running game and better wide receivers.
Reasons for concern
Regression would be natural. It can be hard to envision after Maye dazzled a year ago and now returns to the same offense with an improved supporting cast, but Tom Brady is perhaps the only quarterback this century who was regression-proof. It happens. Especially for young quarterbacks.
Almost no quarterback delivers back-to-back MVP-caliber seasons at 23 and 24 years old. So, yes, perhaps some regression comes for Maye.
Maybe the only other reason for some pause is Maye’s health. He was so effective as a scrambler last season, but he needs to improve at avoiding hits, whether that’s by sliding more effectively or getting out of bounds. The injury he suffered to his throwing shoulder shouldn’t be an issue going forward, but it can underscore the importance of Maye avoiding contact this season.
aBit o’Twitter
