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So, why is Marshon Lattimore still on the roster?
As with most things in the NFL, things are complicated. For one, Lattimore ended the season on injured reserve and is currently rehabbing that ACL. Under the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), releasing a player who is physically unable to perform can trigger “Injury Protection Benefits.” The team may be waiting on final medical evaluations before making a move to ensure they are in good standing with the league and the NFLPA, making sure they truly get that $18.5M
in cap space back with zero dead money.
Furthermore, Lattimore was recently arrested in Lakewood, Ohio, on January 7, 2026. The charges included a felony for improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and a misdemeanor for carrying a concealed weapon. Typically, NFL teams stay in “purgatory” and gather information before making a cut, especially with felony charges involved. Lattimore had a hearing on February 6th, and the team may be waiting on the League Office to determine if any suspensions are coming down the pike before officially severing ties.
Finally, releasing Lattimore today would immediately relinquish any remaining trade leverage. While it is highly unlikely a suitor would absorb an $18.5 million contract for an aging corner coming off an ACL tear, there is zero advantage to cutting him before the clock runs out. The real “trigger date” is March 15th, the day he is scheduled to get a $2M roster bonus. Washington will almost certainly want to avoid that, so I’d expect Lattimore to be released right before then.
A to Z Sports
3 underrated EDGE options with younger upside for Commanders to target during 2026 NFL free agency period
Malcolm Koonce, Las Vegas Raiders
Malcolm Koonce is a very underrated pass rusher in the league at just 27 years old. He suffered a torn ACL in 2024, but signed a one-year deal to return to the Raiders to prove himself once again. Koonce bounced back and collected five sacks, 35 pressures, and a forced fumble. He’s ready for a bigger role as well and looks to be 100% healthy.
He had eight sacks and 52 pressures in 2023 before his ACL injury, and getting that kind of production again would be a massive win. Koonce is smaller at 6-2 and 250 pounds, but he stops the run at a high level like the bigger defenders. He’s projected to get a three-year, $30 million contract in free agency, which is a great deal for both sides.
The Commanders don’t have to risk throwing a bag at a player like Trey Hendrickson when they can sign one of these under-the-radar players this offseason. They found Dorance Armstrong as a rotational player in 2024, and now he’s a top pass rusher, so hopefully [a player on this list] could be the same.
Commanders Wire
Commanders should target underrated Broncos’ defender
The top interior rusher on the market will be John Franklin-Myers of the Denver Broncos. Denver has the cap space to re-sign Franklin-Myers, but hasn’t reached a deal with him. He was a big part of the Broncos’ top-ranked defense in 2025, recording 25 tackles, including six for loss, 7.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits. Franklin-Myers recorded at least seven sacks in each of the last two seasons.
Franklin-Myers is older than some other free-agent defenders, aside from Hendrickson. He’ll turn 30 in September. However, recent evidence proves he’s playing some of the best football of his eight-year NFL career. He’s also a success story.
His pressure numbers have improved over the past two seasons. He’s also experienced playing in the 3-4 and 4-3 defenses. Franklin-Myers has played defensive end and defensive tackle, so his versatility is an asset.
Another benefit for anyone who signs Franklin-Myers is that he is also stout against the run.
Spotrac projects Franklin-Myers to earn $7.9 million annually on his next deal. If he hits the open market, he’ll almost certainly earn more.
So, while the focus is on edge defenders, don’t look past Franklin-Myers. He should be high on Washington’s list.
Commanders.com
Daronte Jones: time at HBCUs helped build ‘foundation for who I am today’
Jones, 47, finished up his college career as a defensive back with Morgan State. Almost a decade later, Jones returned to the DMV as Bowie State’s assistant head coach and defensive coordinator — positions he held for five seasons.
Jones knows that HBCUs don’t have the same “glitz and glamour” as many of the top programs in the country, but many of the lessons he learned at both Morgan State and Bowie State helped shape the coaching philosophies that he still relies upon.
“It’s the foundation of who I am today,” Jones said during his Feb. 10 introductory press conference.
Just Blog Baby
Von Miller quickly shot down the idea of joining the Raiders in free agency
“For one, I’m still a taken man. I’m still in a relationship with the Washington Commanders. For two, if I’m going to go to the AFC West, it’s got to be the Denver Broncos,” Miller said. “Like what? Me playing the Denver Broncos twice a year? I don’t think it’s nothing that I can do to really take away from my legacy that I’ve already done with the Denver Broncos, but that: Going to the Raiders… That’s really the only thing that could make the Denver Broncos fanbase, Broncos Country, not love me no more.”
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Bleeding Green Nation
Lane Johnson is officially playing for the Eagles in 2026
The Eagles’ legendary right tackle will NOT be retiring
The Philadelphia Eagles’ two-time Super Bowl champion right tackle told the Inquirer’s Jeff McLane that he’s officially returning for his 14th NFL season in 2026.
There was previously speculation that Johnson, who turns 36 in May, might call it a career after finishing the 2025 season injured. Jeff Stoutland’s exit didn’t seem to work in favor of Johnson returning.
But former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy recently claimed that Johnson told him he’s not retiring. NFL insider Adam Schefter also said he expected Johnson to be back.
Not to mention that Johnson would’ve left a lot of money on the table by walking away this offseason.
The Eagles are very happy to have their All-Pro right tackle in place for next season.
Landon Dickerson reportedly plans to play in 2026
More good news for the Philadelphia Eagles following Lane Johnson’s decision to return for the 2026 season: it sounds like Landon Dickerson will also be playing in 2026.
the Inquirer’s Jeff McLane included this in his report about Johnson’s decision to not retire (bold emphasis mine):
Dickerson expressed some doubt about his future immediately after the 49ers defeat. He has yet to publicly address his plans, but there have been concerns inside the Eagles organization about the 27-year old’s health.
Recent indications are that Dickerson will return for his sixth season. The Eagles will likely have a clearer understanding of his plans ahead of next week’s NFL combine, when Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman are expected to be available to reporters in Indianapolis.
There was previously concern that the 27-year-old Dickerson could decide to retire after playing through multiple injuries in 2025. He certainly didn’t sound very optimistic about his future outlook while speaking at locker room clean out day following the Eagles’ playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers:
E.J. Smith of PHLY Sports reported that when asked if he’ll make a full recovery, Dickerson said, “If I had that answer, I’d feel a lot better.”
It remains to be seen just how effective Dickerson will be next season … and if he can stay healthy.
Blogging the Boys
10 players snubbed by the scouting combine that could interest the Cowboys
Edge Mikail Kamara, Indiana
Although Kamara was a 15-game starter and a national champion in 2025 with the Hoosiers, he saw his production dip this past season. In 2023-2024, the former James Madison standout had several campaigns of production, accumulating 17.5 sacks.
LB Jaden Dugger, Louisiana-Lafayette
At 6’4”, 240 pounds with nearly 35” arms and a wingspan of 84”, Dugger definitely looks the part of an NFL LB. In a deep LB draft class he’s flying a little under the radar, but he could be a late round steal for. He has the skill set/talent to contribute in the NFL.
LB Shad Banks, UTSA
Banks is a versatile and explosive athlete who probably would’ve lit up the combine had he been invited. The 6’1”, 230-pound LB is a fluid mover playing with range and burst in both running and passing game. He’s what teams look for in a modern-day LB.
S Cole Wisniewski, Texas Tech
Wisniewski was a physical tone setter on the back end of the Red Raiders’ defense. He tallied a total of 78 tackles, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and one sack in 2025.
Big Blue View
NY Giants free agency 2026: Daniel Bellinger could find opportunity elsewhere
Tight end has seemed undervalued by New York in recent seasons
With NFL free agency looming, Bellinger now has an opportunity to find out if someone else will show him more appreciation than the Giants.
Bellinger said at the end of the season that GM Joe Schoen had told him he was “part of the solution, not part of the problem” for the Giants.
Bellinger, though, also said that a bigger role elsewhere had appeal.
“Everybody wants to be number one in their position to succeed as much as they can,” Bellinger said. “And, of course, that’s what I want.
“But like I said, like my main goal in football from Little League to now and furthermore is just help a team win. If that is a tight end one role, that’s what I want.You know what I mean? But if I can help a team in a tight end two role or in special teams, whatever it takes to help a team win, I think is my biggest goal, because that’s what I want to walk away from the game and say, OK, I helped the team win games.”
Bellinger’s future with the Giants is no longer solely up to Schoen. New head coach John Harbaugh seems to be wielding final authority over most things these days, and which of their own free agents they prioritize keeping will likely be his call.
I think someone is going to get a useful player at a bargain price, and that the Giants will end up wishing they had valued Bellinger’s reliability rather than Johnson’s flash.
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Bears $5B Stadium Plan Ramps Up As Indiana Pushes Ahead
For nearly three years, the Bears have been unable to close a stadium deal in Illinois, creating an opening that Indiana is now taking advantage of
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said Thursday that the state has “established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal” with the Bears, the most overt statement to date about its intent to complete an agreement for a domed facility for the team.
Next up is a vote on an Indiana state senate bill that would provide significant public funding for a new stadium in Hammond, Ind. The team would contribute $2 billion, while the public sector would cover the rest of what could be a $5 billion project. That public contribution would be generated from bonding against a series of local taxes—similar to the structure used to finance Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
A full state legislative vote on the bill is anticipated in the coming days after it unanimously cleared a state House ways and means committee Thursday. A new amendment hones in on the Hammond location as the preferred site after others in nearby Gary were previously considered. The site almost directly abuts the state line between Indiana and Illinois.
As the Indiana situation has intensified, some Illinois leaders have shown a new willingness to work out a deal with the Bears. That pivot, however, could prove to be too little, too late. A state legislative committee canceled a scheduled Thursday hearing about legislation that would allow the Bears, or other large developers, to negotiate payments with local taxing authorities—a critical step toward getting an Illinois stadium deal done.
“Illinois was ready to move this bill forward,” said a spokesperson for Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. “After a productive three-hour meeting yesterday, Bears leaders requested the [committee] pause the hearing to make further tweaks to the bill. This morning, we were surprised to see a statement lauding Indiana and ignoring Illinois.”
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Pro Football Talk
Florida Senate passes “Teddy Bridgewater Act” for high-school coaches
Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater saw his career as a high-school coach in Miami end after other coaches complained that he was spending his own money to help his players.
An effort is now underway to allow high-school coaches in Florida to do that.
Via Andy Villamarzo of Rivals.com, the Florida Senate has passed a “Teddy Bridgewater Act” that would allow coaches to use up to $15,000 of their own money to support student-athletes with food, transportation, and recovery services.
The bill still must pass the Florida House of Representatives and be signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis.
If it becomes law, the Teddy Bridgewater Act potentially opens Pandora’s box. How will anyone accurately track expenditures? And what’s to stop the coach from becoming the conduit for boosters to funnel more than $15,000 to players?
