The Daily Slop – 25 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!
Commanders links
Articles
Commanders.com
26 quotes to get you ready for Commanders 2026 training camp
Antonio Williams on where he prefers to play on the field: “I prefer everything. I feel like that’s when I’m at my best. I feel like I’m a versatile player and I can line up everywhere and run every route. So, I just like being able to go everywhere and I feel like I just have
a lot of freedom to do that in this offense.”
Leo Chenal on what he likes about Daronte Jones’ defense:
“It really involves the linebackers. It involves playing to their skill set, so it’s really cool being able to walk through different things with coaches … They really want to have us take advantage of what we’re really good at. We kind of developed the scheme more and more, and we’re gonna continue to mold that around the guys that we have. It’s really cool how personalized it is.”
Dan Quinn on needing to have a main guy in the running back room:
“Yeah, I think it’s probably some main guys in certain parts where it’s not maybe be one person, you know, the entire time. But I do like the competition in the group. Like I said, I thought Rachaad’s brought some things on the, you know, the catching and receiving phase of things. To see Bill [RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt], to see the guys get back into the mix, to see the two young running backs, what they can add. I don’t know yet, but I think we’ll for sure be more than just one.”
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders Roundtable
Can any edge rusher stay consistent through the season?
Oweh has had one season of double-digit sacks in his career, and he was a no-show until he was traded to Los Angeles midseason. Chaisson was considered a bust with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders, and Armstrong had his best season last year, but he is coming off a serious injury, and he should not be counted on to carry the load fully. Oweh is being brought on to be the team’s top pass rusher, and his cap number backs up that. One potential scenario to look out for is inside linebacker Frankie Luvu coming in on passing situations and playing on the edge.
All in all, the Commanders have the depth and talent to have a very productive group, but they do not have a proven, consistent “war daddy” in the room heading into camp. New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones will have better pieces to work with than his predecessor Joe Whitt, but it is up to him to scheme his chess pieces on the board.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Heavy.com
Sonny Styles Preparing for Hybrid Workload
Speaking on 106.7 The Fan, Mitchell asked, “You know that big nickel thing they used to play? What if you have four and your big nickel is actually Sunny? Yeah. Sunny now is your fourth linebacker playing right on the nose of that damn tight end.”
[R]easons to believe Styles will operate as a so-called “Big Nickel” [are] based on the former Ohio State star’s own experience, what Jones will do with this defense, and how often the Commanders have used the niche position, both under current head coach Dan Quinn and his predecessor Ron Rivera.
[I]t’s not a stretch to envisage Styles spending [time] at safety in the pros. The case has only been strengthened by Styles “working with Defensive Back Specialist-Coach Aye in San Diego” this offseason, per highlights posted by Substack writer Hykeem Walker, who noted Styles exhibited “Elite footwork” and “DB Hands.”
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders rookie Joshua Josephs could have a path to early playing time
The explosiveness and burst off the snap were as advertised. What was most surprising was Josephs’ ability to drop back into coverage and make plays. That’s something most pure pass-rushers cannot do effectively enough, so it could bring a different dynamic to Daronte Jones’ defense if the same trend continues.
It’s a good start from Josephs. The real tests are coming.
Things will obviously get a lot more intense over training camp, especially when the pads go on. Joint practices and the preseason will be a strong measuring stick for the first-year pro, which could potentially determine what his role will be in 2026.
If he shines, Josephs could form a core part of the defensive edge rotation. Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, and the returning Dorance Armstrong Jr. will lead the charge, but it would be surprising if the Tennessee product wasn’t next in line.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Riggo’s Rag
Predicting who survives the Commanders’ six fiercest training camp battles
Commanders WR2 and WR3
Much has been made about the Washington Commanders’ wide receiver options. Some believe more is needed, with the team being linked to almost every big-name free agent or potential trade target. General manager Adam Peters hasn’t moved as yet, which indicates a willingness to let the young options behind Terry McLaurin fight it out this summer.
McLaurin is the alpha; that’s not up for discussion. Several others will be fighting for the WR2 and WR3 roles, and they will all fancy their chances of securing their share of targets within David Blough’s system.
Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown are reclamation projects. Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, undrafted free agent Jaden Bradley, and third-round rookie Antonio Williams are unproven. Van Jefferson Jr. at least has some previous production, but things have tailed off for the veteran pass-catcher in recent years.
The Commanders will be watching developments closely. If Peters isn’t satisfied, acquiring another dependable wideout instantly becomes his top priority. But it’s also worth remembering how much tight end Chig Okonkwo and running back Rachaad White are expected to feature in the passing attack.
This is hard to call. One could make a strong case for almost everybody. But looking at the scheme Blough plans to operate, Burks may end up on the outside with Williams in the slot to start the season.
Prediction: Treylon Burks (WR2), Antonio Williams (WR3-Slot)
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Podcasts & videos
48 Minutes of Jayden Daniels Highlights
NFC East links
Blogging the Boys
Here’s why the Cowboys need to win now
Dallas ranked 24th for under-25 talent with not much to show for their name in this particular capacity.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Last year’s rank: 17
Blue chips: G Tyler Booker, S Caleb Downs
Notable graduated players: OT Tyler Guyton, WR George Pickens, G Tyler Smith
Most of Dallas’ offensive line graduated from our list this year, but right guard Booker is still only 22 years old, as is fourth-round offensive tackle Drew Shelton. The rest of the young talent is mostly on defense.
On the edge, Donovan Ezeiruaku is 22, and Malachi Lawrence is 23; but their birthdays are only two months apart (Sept. 25 for Ezeiruaku, July 21 for Lawrence). First-rounder Downs is 21. Linebacker Shemar James, who started six games last season, is 22.
As you can see our point up top carries particular merit for the Cowboys. George Pickens and Tyler Smith would do some serious carrying for this team if they were able to right now, but they are not due to the exercise’s parameters. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.
It is certainly great to see the team’s recent first- and second-round picks here in Tyler Booker, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Caleb Downs, and Malachi Lawrence. They are all a part of the new foundation that the team is building. Drew Shelton joining that fold would help, too.
But the meat of this team is part of the elder statesmen crowd right now in Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Quinnen Williams joining Pickens and Smith above the threshold. This is where the idea of this team having a “window” comes from.
The most prevalent of those players is obviously the one who plays the most important position in Prescott. When the Cowboys are forced to find a successor is when things are going to get particularly dicey. For the most part the Cowboys have had stable quarterback play between Prescott and Tony Romo, both of whom the team fully lucked into. We have not seen the front office have to design a solution at the game’s most important position since the dawn of the internet.
So the pressure is on
Blogging the Boys
Cowboys must break the cycle of late-game letdowns
the real crux of the matter is that the Cowboys must find a way to stop being the team that falls short. They need to stop putting themselves into these stressful, high-chance situations in the first place. Enough with digging deep holes early in games, only to spend the remainder playing catch-up.
They need to stop relying on last-minute miracles and the team that is ready to go from the outset. A better defense will always help, but we often overlook the times when the defense actually comes through, and the offense simply fails to make up the necessary ground. The team needs to get its act together and build a true culture of winning rather than being the poster child for late-game letdowns.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
NFL league links
Articles
ESPN
Packers CEO questions team’s viability
In operating costs, the Packers reported $753 million in revenues and $754.1 million in expenses. Revenues were up 4.7%, but expenses increased 18.7%.
Policy said the rise in expenses was due to a $130 million increase in player costs. The Packers acquired All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys last year and signed him to a four-year, $188 million contract with $136 million guaranteed. They also accelerated payments to some players who were traded.
“We’re going to have to be more aggressive with revenue generation going forward,” Policy said. “We all know the cost of competing in the NFL is going up, and other teams have access to capital sources that we just don’t have.”
Policy noted that the ability of other NFL franchises to sell minority interests in their team puts the Packers at a potential disadvantage in the long run.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
