The Daily Slop – 6 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
Washington Commanders on SI
3 Commanders Who Could Be on the Chopping Block Entering Training Camp
Jerome Ford: Feeling the Numbers Game in a Refreshed Backfield
When Jerome Ford was signed, the idea was that he would be one of the more versatile options on the roster, having accrued over 2,100 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns in his 57 career games. That was before the team drafted Kaytron
Allen and signed undrafted free agent Robert Henry Jr. Now, Ford cannot just look competent. He has to make his role feel necessary.
If the Commanders trust Ford in pass protection, see him as a steady early-down option, or believe he can help on special teams, he can make the roster. If he blends into the middle of the pack, this becomes one of the harder number games on the team.
Bleacher Report
Every NFL Team’s Most Promising Building Block Entering 2026
Washington Commanders: CB Trey Amos
The Washington Commanders have their young offensive centerpiece in quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was a rookie Pro Bowler in 2024. They’re still searching for defensive building blocks, and they just might have one in second-year corner Trey Amos.
The second-round pick out of Mississippi had an up-and-down rookie campaign (104.6 opposing passer rating) before suffering a fractured fibula. However, Washington’s defense was bad overall, and, as Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker noted, Amos showcased a ton of upside.
“He reflected his talent by earning at least a 68.5 coverage grade in five of his 10 contests, and his 51.43% lockdown rate was 26th among all cornerbacks. Further, Amos broke up an eye-catching 17.6% of his targets.”
This offseason, Washington made a sew of new additions to a defense that ranked 32nd overall last season. It will feature several new starters, but Amos should soon entrench himself as a star in the secondary.
ESPN
2026 NFL rookie updates: Tracking all first-round draft picks
7. Washington Commanders
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles’ closing speed was evident throughout the spring — as was his football acumen, according to teammates and coaches. He impressed with his preparation and knowledge and how he handled wearing the green dot on his helmet. “All he wants to talk about is football,” linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. said. “When you’re around a guy that’s genuine and authentic, then you’ve got something to work with. You combine that with size, speed, strength and brain and he loves ball? He’s got a lot going for him.” — John Keim
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders could have a 1-2 backfield punch in Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White
Nick Jhabvala of The Athletic thought Jacory Croskey-Merritt was still the frontrunner to start before training camp. However, the team insider also thought his usage would be split pretty significantly with free-agent signing Rachaad White.
White, who was a former teammate of quarterback Jayden Daniels from their time together at Arizona State, has made a significant impact since joining the club on a one-year, $2 million deal this offseason. His explosiveness and pass-catching ability out of the backfield have caught the eye. If the same trend continues over training camp and into the preseason, he could be a focal point for Blough to depend upon.
Croskey-Merritt will still have a big part to play. He took the Commanders by storm as a rookie last year. Nobody gave him much chance of staking a claim, but the No. 245 pick in the seventh round far exceeded expectations and became a real fan favorite along the way.
He’s not satisfied, either. Croskey-Merritt worked hard to bulk up this offseason, which should help him become a well-rounded backfield threat. The Commanders have other options if they choose, but they expect the second-year pro to continue his rapid emergence.
Commanders Wire
Charles Omenihu has lofty comparison for new-look defense
Omenihu was asked what lessons he is bringing to Washington from his experience with the Chiefs.
“Details,” Omenihu replied. “Details, because, I’ll be honest, this is probably the most talented D-line group I’ve ever been around. Literally. From top to bottom. Everywhere I was at, it was like a big name and really good players. Here is a group of really, really good players, up and down the line.”
He goes on to say that at each of his stops, he’s had a Hall of Fame-type player surrounded by really good players. In Washington, though, there are no “big names” or players most would consider future Hall of Famers (yet). And that’s not a hit on his team; getting into the Hall of Fame is a hard feat to accomplish. But what they do have in Washington is players who were drafted in the first round, or players who have been successful in other places and are on a second contract.
Almost every defensive player who has spoken with the media has said the same thing. They are bonding. They are creating relationships. They are building trust, and each of them has a chip on their shoulder over what the season ahead may bring. And when you have multiple players, from rookies to veterans, all saying the same thing, it definitely bodes well for how this unit will perform in 2026.
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders must have Stefon Diggs on speed-dial after Brandon Aiyuk blunder
It might be a simple case of Aiyuk and Daniels trolling the general public, of course. That couldn’t be dismissed, but there seems to be an intent to sabotage things for himself before his eventual release from the San Francisco 49ers is confirmed.
This is another major blunder from Aiyuk. And if the Commanders are intent on finding another experienced wide receiver to pick up the slack, general manager Adam Peters should now have Stefon Diggs’ representation on speed-dial.
Commanders should turn their attention to Stefon Diggs after Brandon Aiyuk blunder
Diggs has been relatively quiet since his legal issues concluded successfully. He’s outlined a desire to speak to Washington about a potential homecoming, but nothing has materialized yet. Until something gets confirmed with the Commanders or elsewhere, the four-time Pro Bowler is working hard to ensure he’s ready for the next challenge.
Podcasts & videos
Brandon Aiyuk CROSSED THE LINE? CALLS OUT Jayden Daniels, Should Commanders Pivot to Stefon Diggs?
NFC East links
NFL.com
Cowboys’ Jaydon Blue admits ‘I wasn’t really there’ in forgettable rookie season but is ‘ready to go now’
The 2025 season belonged to the resurgence and subsequent career season of Javonte Williams, however. Williams became the first Dallas back to eclipse 1,200 yards since Ezekiel Elliott in 2019.
Speedy home state product Blue, meanwhile, played in just five games and did little with his scant opportunities, rushing for 129 yards.
Don’t give up on Blue just yet though. The fifth-rounder out of Texas believes he’s learned from his rookie travails and could be the perfect lightning complement to Williams’ thunder.
“I didn’t start off like I should have,” Blue said recently, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “Maybe if it was not practicing the right way or just on a maturity level, I think I wasn’t really there. But just learning from all the vets, having the offseason that I’ve had, I think I’m ready to go.”
NFL league links
Articles
NFL.com
Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers on familiar Mike McCarthy offense: ‘It’s stuff that we used to run’
McCarthy is reuniting with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who’s back for his second year with Pittsburgh and his 22nd – and apparently final – NFL campaign. Rodgers had three head coaches over his time with the Packers, but the majority of his time was spent with McCarthy as his head coach, and Rodgers is enjoying the familiarity of the offense so far.
“I spent 13 years in (McCarthy’s offense),” Rodgers said. “He’s changed some stuff when he was in Dallas. … It’s stuff that we used to run, but he’s just called it something different now.”
The 62-year-old Mike McCarthy has taken the reins let go by Mike Tomlin, who stepped down following his 19th season as the franchise’s head coach.
So, while he’s looking to rescue the Steelers from their longstanding offensive doldrums, he’s not looking to alter what’s worked for him over the autumns.
“You have core beliefs, which established during those early years, and then off of those come variations,” McCarthy said recently, via Triblive’s Chris Adamski. “You look at pro football, (there are) a lot of similar plays, a lot of similar schemes — but everybody runs them a little differently.”
