The Daily Slop – 3 September 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
Sports Illustrated
Commanders believe Styles is developing into a defensive leader
Having Luvu share [the green dot] responsibility should help. Styles won’t be thrown into every situation alone, and the veteran gives Washington another experienced voice who can handle the communication when personnel packages change. That should give Jones flexibility in who wears the green dot while still allowing Styles to grow into the role without forcing every part of the defense onto him at once.
The bigger takeaway is how quickly Washington appears willing to trust him. There were always questions about how much Styles would be asked to handle as a rookie, especially in a defense with this many moving parts. The answer is becoming pretty clear. Washington didn’t draft him seventh overall just to make plays. They drafted him to become one of the pieces the defense can eventually revolve around, and giving him a hand in directing it before his first regular-season snap shows they may already be treating him that way.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders.com
Commanders remain confident in their offensive line
It’s worth pointing out that Washington’s current mashup of offensive linemen was not the plan the team had in mind. In a perfect world, Tunsil would remain the left tackle, Allegretti would have been on the field for most of camp and the duo of Sam Cosmi and Josh Conerly would have continued building their chemistry together on the right side. The only position that would have been undecided was left guard, but the team felt like it was in a good spot with either Coleman or Chris Paul.
But Tunsil’s injury changed all that. The team likes what it has with Coleman at tackle, but that move affected the depth at guard. The uncertainty at guard put a brighter spotlight on the center position, which was already going through some flux with Allegretti’s injury.
That’s a lot of uncertainty for a position at which Commanders need to be solid this season, but the team is looking at the situation with optimism.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Riggo’s Rag
8 Commanders whose stock could explode beyond recognition in 2026
Antonio Williams – Commanders WR
The Washington Commanders’ wide receiver room looks strong. There are some proven performers and also some reclamation projects who could improve within David Blough’s system if everything goes well.
There is also Antonio Williams.
The third-round rookie wideout was projected as a first-rounder before a disappointing final college campaign with the Clemson Tigers. Williams has the talent, and the Commanders believe there is something that could be a major asset.
Based on the impression made over the summer, he’s got a chance to feature as part of a trio with Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs.
Williams is a slick route runner who knows how to separate. He’s got assured hands, can make things happen after the catch, and now has a chip on his shoulder after being overlooked until No. 71 overall in the draft.
McLaurin and Diggs will lead the charge. But don’t be surprised if Williams becomes a surprise most don’t see coming.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders.com
5 takeaways from Dan Quinn and Adam Peters’ joint press conference
The Commanders have dealt with multiple injuries over the past month, but there was some good news from Quinn: many of these players are working their way back to practice.
Quinn started the press conference by announcing that Allegretti, Marcus Mariota, Daron Payne, Jordan Magee and Ben Sinnott would be back at practice. Mariota’s return is more of an insurance policy for Daniels, but players like Allegretti, Payne and the rest are either starters or will get significant playing time. Their returns provide them with valuable reps to prepare for the team’s Week 1 road game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Trey Amos, however, was not among the players who returned to practice, as he was placed on Injured Reserve earlier in the day. Amos will now have to miss at least the first four games of the season nursing an ankle injury he suffered in camp.
Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh was also not among the players returning to practice, but Quinn said the team is “feeling good” about his progress. “We’re thrilled that he’s making this kind of progress to get ready.”
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders Roundtable
3 Commanders who can step up if Oweh isn’t ready to play in Week 1
Dan Quinn said Odafe Oweh is expected to return to practice next week. Whether that happens remains to be seen, but losing Oweh for Week 1 against the Eagles would be a major blow.
Javontae Jean-Baptiste
Jean-Baptiste has had the most complicated path of anyone in Washington’s edge room. A seventh-round pick out of Notre Dame in Peters’ first draft class in 2024, he spent most of his first two seasons either on injured reserve or playing limited rotational snaps behind a deep depth chart. A torn pectoral in 2025 cost him most of the year — he played just three games. But he came back healthy this spring, posted a 75.5 overall PFF grade across his limited 2025 snaps — with a 71.2 run-defense grade that ranked as one of the better marks among Washington’s edge defenders — and has been one of the more consistent veterans in camp this August.
His career line is modest: 19 tackles and two sacks across 15 games. But the run defense and the effort level have never been the question. Against an Eagles offensive line that will likely try to establish the run early, Jean-Baptiste’s physicality and gap discipline make him a useful early-down piece if Oweh can’t go.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
ESPN
Who calls plays for every NFL team in 2026?
Blough spent one year in Minnesota learning coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense and was on Detroit’s practice squad in 2023 under coordinator Ben Johnson. Blough was influenced by Johnson in particular and will use a lot of play-action passes, more snaps from under center and far less no-huddle than Washington used under Kliff Kingsbury the past two years. They will retain some elements of Kingsbury’s system — some run-pass option. Blough also could mimic Johnson when it comes to trickery and creativity. — John Keim
Key stat: Last season (with Blough as assistant quarterbacks coach and Kingsbury as offensive coordinator), the Commanders rushed on 61.4% of their red zone plays, the highest rate in the NFL. — ESPN Research
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Photos
Commanders.com
PHOTOS | Prep begins for Week 1
The Washington Commanders were back on the practice field for their first practice after final roster cuts
Podcasts & videos
COMMAND CENTER: ADAM PETERS COOKED! 🔥 Why the 2026 Commanders Are Built DIFFERENT | Podcast | Washington | NFL
Will Odafe Oweh play Week 1? Plus a trust meter for Commanders’ position groups as preseason ends
NFC East links
Bleeding Green Nation
NFC East training camp recap
It is basically impossible to make LSU football look sympathetic in 2026. Jayden Daniels did it.
Adam Peters signed four 32 year olds, a 31 year old, and two 30 year olds in August alone.
Last year the Commanders went 0-3 in the preseason, finishing with a 30-3 loss to the Ravens, and then went 5-12 (in honor of Jayden Daniels). This year they went 1-2 in the preseason, with their win being against a Dolphins team that is not even trying to look like they’re trying, and finished with a 41-3 loss to the Ravens.
Their weak OL is already depleted. LT Laremy Tunsil is out for most of the year, and C Nick Allegretti got hurt on day one of camp and hasn’t practiced since.
The Commanders have said that they have no plans to bring back the old Redskins name or logo, but last week started selling merchandise with the Redskins name and (part of the) logo. It sold out in two days.
Most teams get better as training camp progresses. Washington got off on the wrong foot and went downhill from there.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Blogging the Boys
3 must-win games this Cowboys season
Dallas fans are nervous about their first two games against the Giants & Commanders
Week 2 vs Washington Commanders
It may seem a bit crazy to list a Week 2 matchup as a must-win, but this game absolutely falls into that category for the Cowboys. Dallas opens up the season with two divisional matchups in a row, traveling to New York to take on the Giants in Week 1 before returning home to host the Commanders.
While Dallas has dominated the rivalry with the Giants in recent memory, this matchup will be much more difficult than years past. New York undoubtedly got better this offseason, and emotions will be running high as John Harbaugh makes his debut as the team’s new head coach. Dallas is favored and very well could win the game, but there is a real possibility they walk out of New York 0-1.
If that happens, the Week 2 matchup against the Commanders becomes a clear must-win. Dropping to 0-2 with both losses coming to division opponents could nearly sink your season two weeks in.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
NFL league links
Articles
ESPN
NFL players, coaches, GMs under the most pressure in 2026
David Blough, OC, Washington Commanders
Declan Doyle, OC, Baltimore Ravens
Sean Mannion, OC, Philadelphia Eagles
The Commanders (Jayden Daniels), Ravens (Lamar Jackson) and Eagles (Jalen Hurts) have three successful quarterbacks who have thrived working out of the shotgun or pistol and made a meaningful impact moving the ball with their legs on designed quarterback runs. And to some extent, those three teams are going to ask their quarterbacks to do something different in 2026 by operating from under center.
It’s a big bet by three teams with quarterbacks who have already proved themselves as successful without needing to go under center very often. If those bets work out, Blough, Doyle and Mannion could be in line to earn head-coaching consideration as early as next offseason. If not, well, the world isn’t very forgiving to young playcallers.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Pro Football Talk
49ers, Rams taking opposite approaches to longest road trip in NFL history
The 49ers are already in the air aboard their 16-hour flight to Melbourne, Australia, for a game against the Rams that won’t kick off for another seven and a half days. They want plenty of time to adjust to Melbourne time after the longest road trip in NFL history.
The Rams are taking a very different approach.
Although Rams coach Sean McVay has declined to discuss the team’s travel plans, they’re reportedly leaving on Wednesday, September 9, which will mean landing less than 24 hours before kickoff: The game kicks off at 8:35 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, September 10, which is 10:35 a.m. on Friday, September 11, in Melbourne.
The Rams think delaying international travel for as long as possible the smart approach, and there’s some precedent to suggest they’re right: Last year the Rams didn’t arrive in London for their game against the Jaguars until the day before, and they proceeded to destroy the Jaguars, who have long-established London travel plans of arriving days in advance.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Discussion topics
The Athletic (paywall)
10 NFL veteran free agents who could help teams in 2026
OT Taylor Decker
Decker underwent right shoulder surgery after the 2024 season, and as our Colton Pouncy reported, the Detroit Lions franchise cornerstone never really recovered from the operation in 2025. Decker missed three games and regularly sat out Wednesday practices as he managed the injury. He requested his release from the Lions in March after contract negotiations broke down. By the end of the year, Decker was essentially playing left tackle with one arm. He used his right arm only when absolutely necessary. Decker was still quite effective, which says a lot about him as a player. Decker’s ability to help a team in 2026 will come down to his health.
CB Marshon Lattimore
Lattimore suffered a torn ACL in Week 9 of last season while playing for the Washington Commanders. He turned 30 in May. Before the injury, Lattimore still looked pretty capable as a press corner.
LB Bobby Wagner
Wagner turned 36 in June, and last season with the Commanders, his diminishing athleticism affected his performance as a coverage player. He cannot make plays sideline to sideline like he could when he was earning All-Pro recognition six times. Wagner can still make an impact as a downhill run defender and blitzer. He could fit into an off-ball linebacker rotation as an early-down player.
OT Cam Robinson
Robinson has bounced around in recent seasons from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Vikings to the Texans to the Cleveland Browns. He has become the player teams target if they need a starting replacement at left tackle because of injuries. The Vikings traded for Robinson after starter Christian Darrisaw suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2024. The Browns traded for Robinson after starter Dawand Jones suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2025. Robinson is an imperfect player, but he is functional as a run blocker and a pass protector. The experience — 114 career starts — is attractive. Robinson turns 31 in October.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
