The Daily Slop – 29 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
Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)
Camp Battle: Leo Chenal vs Frankie Luvu at ILB
[T]he Commanders also have some interesting battles for starting positions this year too. Earlier in the offseason I broke down the camp battle that is set to take place for the starting left guard position between Chris Paul and Brandon
Coleman. Today though, I’m flipping to the defensive side of the ball to look at one of the most intriguing battles this year, at least in my opinion.
The Commanders completely turned over their inside linebacker position this offseason. Leo Chenal was signed in free agency and then Washington drafted Sonny Styles with the seventh overall pick. We’re anticipating Daronte Jones to switch the Commanders to a 3-4 base defense, which is what Jones coached with the Vikings over the last few years. If that is the case, then the Commanders only have two inside linebacker positions available and multiple options to fill them. I think it’s fair to assume that Styles will ultimately start at one spot, at least the team will expect him to win the job given they took him so high in the draft. But who starts next to him? Leo Chenal was just signed in free agency but Frankie Luvu looks to be an excellent fit in the new scheme.
I’ll caveat this piece by saying there are numerous ways the Commanders could get all three of Styles, Chenal and Luvu on the field at the same time and I’ve written about that previously. But I suspect there will be times where one of them has to sit on the bench and again, I doubt it will be the guy they drafted seventh overall. So that means Chenal and Luvu will be battling in camp for the starting spot next to Styles in the base 3-4 defense. Both are good football players with a lot of talent and the competition should drive both to improve and become even better players. But who will win out, the newly added free agent or the veteran tone setter?
Commanders Roundtable
With Tress Way injured, Commanders add another punter to roster
With Way now absent, the Commanders made a move to fill the immediate vacancy after the agent of longtime NFL punter Matt Haack announced his signing with the Commanders.
An undrafted free agent out of Arizona State from the 2017 NFL Draft, Haack spent his first four seasons of his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins before stints with the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2025, Haack began the season on the practice squad of the Denver Broncos before heading to the Arizona Cardinals in November where he appeared in seven games.
Through his nine seasons and 110 games in the NFL, Haack owns a 45 yard punt average and a 39.9 yard net punt with 179 punts pinned inside the 20 and 26 touchbacks.
How much he’s able to capitalize on the opportunity will be a question for the ensuing weeks to answer given the lack of any question about the long-term status at the position.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders.com
5 takeaways from Adam Peters and Dan Quinn’s training camp opening press conference
The Commanders’ biggest challenge with the position is figuring out how roles will be divided among the players. Players like Mike Sainristil and Robertson have experience playing on the outside and in the slot, which should serve them well considering how much emphasis the Commanders’ new scheme places on versatility. There are other players, like Amos, who have more specific skill sets, and the Commanders want to take their time deciding where players can make the biggest impact.
“I think that in itself is going to be some intrigue, and it’ll take a few weeks for us to get to that space,” Quinn said.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Sports Illustrated
Why the Commanders Believe Nick Allegretti Can Win Their Starting Center Job
Dan Quinn noted that he has consistently practiced across the interior.
He’s played center, he’s played guard, even though you may not have seen him in some of the games; like, every week he was, you know, repping inside to go. So, that was a big piece of it. We’ve got a lot of faith and confidence in him. It’s another one of the positions that we do have competition that we’re going for.Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn
If Nick was playing on defense, he’d be a green dot. This is one of the smartest guys on our team now. Like, we talk about putting it under control; that’s part of playing center. And he has that targeting. ‘Who’s this? Where’s the protection going?’ So, we’ve got a lot of confidence in him. He is one hell of a competitor. And so, he’s one of those guys, man, you don’t bet against that. You know? Might be new, but you don’t do that with everybody, but somebody for him, you no doubt you do it .Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn
Clearly, Quinn likes Allegretti a great deal. That said, Quinn likely meant Allegretti processes information quickly, communicates clearly, and is trusted to make decisions when things become chaotic.
While Dan Quinn loves Allegretti’s intelligence, Adam Peters stressed his leadership qualities, including Allegretti’s ability to command the situation.
What stands out to me with Nick is just his leadership, his command, his confidence. The way the guys gravitate and listen to him. And so, that’s a big part of it. Knowing what to do, knowing where to go, knowing where to direct the guys. Just the calling up in the huddle. It’s a big deal. So, have a ton of confidence in him, have a ton of confidence in [C] Julian [Good-Jones] and [C] Matt [Gulbin] too. So, it’ll be a great competition. But, you know, for Nick, just, you know, I think the world of him. And so, we all have confidence in him.Commanders GM Adam Peters
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
The Athletic (paywall)
Pre-training camp NFL Power Rankings
23. Washington Commanders
Last season: 5-12
Last ranking: 26
What’s new? The defense
Washington signed 11 defensive free agents, and more than half of them are probably going to start, an admission that QB Jayden Daniels’ return to full health won’t be enough without a better defense. The Commanders were 27th in the league last year in points allowed (26.5), and coach Dan Quinn enters the season on the hot seat.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
ESPN
Commanders tab ex-All-Pro WR Wes Welker to coach tight ends
Welker, who joined Washington’s staff a year ago and was elevated to an offensive assistant this offseason, worked with the tight ends when Ben Steele was initially suspended by the Commanders after being charged with driving while intoxicated in Loudoun County, Virginia — where the team practices.
Welker joined the Commanders as a personnel analyst in 2025 after he was fired as Miami’s receivers coach. He also was a receivers coach for San Francisco from 2019 to 2021, when he left to join the Dolphins.
Washington coach Dan Quinn said that the Commanders haven’t yet settled on Welker’s official title but that he will be in charge of the position group. Pass game coordinator David Raih worked with the tight ends the past two seasons and in the spring as well.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Last Man Standig (paywall)
Commanders training camp defensive and special teams almanac: What to watch for all 47 players
0 — Mike Sainristil, CB
Let’s see how the 2024 second-round pick cleans up his coverage issues in the slot or moves outside, where he surrenders several inches to many receivers.
2 — Amik Robertson, CB
The Commanders signed the aggressive Robertson to a two-year, $16 million free-agent contract with slot duties in mind. But how much will he play if Washington’s base 3-4 — or even a traditional 4-3 — puts only four defensive backs on the field?
3 — Will Harris, S
Have you heard the one about Washington’s communication in the secondary going kablooey after Harris broke his leg in Week 3? The mishaps were no joke, which helps explain why Harris appears to be the player to beat at free safety.
He isn’t the flashiest option, but the Commanders value his experience, flexibility and capacity to keep everyone coordinated. Last season showed how much those unglamorous traits matter.
31 — Rasul Douglas, CB
It’s certainly possible that Douglas earns significant work on the outside, where his 6-foot-2 size is needed most.
For more from Ben Standig, click here
Photos
Commanders.com
PHOTOS | Going camping
The Washington Commanders have begun arriving at the team facility for training camp ahead of the 2026 season.
Podcasts & videos
NFC East links
Bleeding Green Nation
Jalen Carter, Eagles agree to record-breaking contract extension
Carter and the Eagles have reportedly agreed to a four-year, $152 million extension that could end up being worth $160 million, including $106 million guaranteed. This keeps the defensive tackle in Philly through 2031, right alongside Jordan Davis — who signed his own three-year, $78 million extension earlier this offseason.
An annual value of $38 million makes Carter the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history. The recently extended Jeffrey Simmons ranks below him at $35.3 million per year. $38 million also puts Carter right between the annual values of Myles Garrett at $40 million and Maxx Crosby at $35.5 million. Those are the sixth-most and seventh-most valuable edge rushers, respectively.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
The Athletic (paywall)
Jerry Jones says Cowboys are Super Bowl contenders, open to ‘substantive’ roster move
[I]t’s been 30 years since they’ve been to the NFL’s championship game, so this type of talk often comes with eye rolls.
Jerry Jones, however, sounds like someone who truly believes this season could be different. And so much so that it doesn’t seem like the Cowboys are done potentially improving their roster, saying he’s open to making a “substantive” move.
How close does he think the Cowboys are to being a Super Bowl contender?
“As close as Seattle was this time last year,” he said, referring to the defending Super Bowl champions.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
NFL league links
Articles
The Athletic (this article is available to be read for free)
Kyle Shanahan clarifies to reporters he was at fault in recent car accident
Kyle Shanahan called a group of reporters into his office Tuesday to clear up a key piece of the story. Shanahan said he was the one who crossed into oncoming traffic, not the 21-year-old driver of the other car.
A California crash database indicated the other driver made an illegal turn, causing the head-on collision in Palo Alto earlier this month. That is incorrect, Shanahan said. He said his cell phone slid off his lap and that he took his eyes off the road to retrieve it between the seats.
As he was coming up with the phone, the vehicles collided. The San Francisco 49ers head coach said the airbag broke his nose and the visor, with a metal garage door opener clipped to it, sliced him above his right eye, opening a gash that required more than 40 stitches to close. He also received three broken ribs and a concussion, the symptoms of which he is still experiencing.
“I hit her,” an emotional Shanahan said. “I don’t know why it was reported (the other) way.”
In a statement, the Palo Alto police department attributed the discrepancy to a “clerical error.”
“I can confirm that Kyle Shanahan’s statement that he provided is correct and that he was found at fault for the collision,” Lt. Nicolas Martinez said in the statement.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Discussion topics
Sports Illustrated
REPORT: 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan was Holding Cell Phone During Car Crash
According to a public government website, Shanahan was holding and using a cell phone during the accident, which was a head-on collision, which means he may have been distracted. But he was not ruled to be at fault for the crash because the other driver, a 21-year-old woman, apparently swerved into his lane, not the other way around. Both drivers were wearing seat belts, and both of their airbags deployed, but only Shanahan suffered serious injuries, according to the report, which is odd.
The report on this website indicates that Shanahan violated Vehicle Code 23123.5(a), which says it’s illegal to hold and operate a cell phone while driving. But the website also says that Shanahan wasn’t cited for this violation, which also is odd.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
