Latest news with #ProBowl-caliber
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Did the Washington Commanders win the offseason?
Did the Washington Commanders "win" the offseason? Don't tell that to longtime Washington fans who were accustomed to winning the offseason under former owner Dan Snyder. In those days, Snyder would make multiple flashy offseason moves that went nowhere. That was a long time ago. Long before Snyder sold the team, he quit spending money, and Washington was as bad in the offseason as it was during the season. The Commanders found themselves in a unique position this offseason. They were coming off a 12-win season and an appearance in the NFC championship game. And while Washington has more needs than most teams that won 12 games, the focus was on improving the roster, not overhauling it. Most importantly, the Commanders weren't looking for a quarterback. Jayden Daniels was everything they envisioned and more last season. So, this offseason was about building around Daniels. How'd they do? While Washington didn't go crazy in free agency, mainly focusing on short-term deals with veterans and re-signing key internal free agents, general manager Adam Peters swung for the fences in two trades. The Commanders acquired wide receiver Deebo Samuel and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil in different trades, filling massive holes at those positions. Bucky Brooks of believes that Washington, along with four other teams, did win the offseason: It's hard to improve from good to great in the NFL, but the Commanders might join the league's elites with an improved roster that features more blue-chip players around 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels. The trades for Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel place a pair of Pro Bowl-caliber players in marquee positions (left tackle and WR2) that should help the offense unlock another gear in 2025. If the team can resolve Terry McLaurin's contract situation, the Commanders will have a chance to open the season with an electric offense that will put plenty of stress on defensive coordinators crafting plans to stop the juggernaut. Defensively, the additions of Deatrich Wise and Jonathan Jones fortify a unit that is coming into its own under the direction of head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. If the Commanders continue to receive key contributions from their young defensive backs (Mike Sainristil, Quan Martin and Trey Amos), the reigning NFC runner-up could take the next step in 2025. My expectation for 2025: The Commanders are built to run through the NFC with a superstar quarterback surrounded by a stellar supporting cast. If Washington can secure the NFC's No. 1 seed, we could see a championship parade in the nation's capital come February. It's hard not to like how Peters approached the offseason. While questions remain about the pass rush, the Commanders worked hard to strengthen their run defense and add valuable depth to the secondary. It's challenging to fill every need in one offseason, but in two years as Washington's GM, Peters has restocked three of the NFL's most important positions. The Commanders have a franchise quarterback, two bookend offensive tackles and quality cornerback depth. That's a tremendous offseason.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN Analyst Breaks Down Commanders' Laremy Tunsil Addition
ESPN Analyst Breaks Down Commanders' Laremy Tunsil Addition originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Laremy Tunsil has been known as a Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle since the Miami Dolphins drafted him in 2016. Advertisement Now with the Washington Commanders, the 30-year-old offensive lineman hopes to reach new heights with his third team. Washington traded with the Houston Texans to acquire Tunsil in the hopes that he would stabilize their offensive line. While the veteran is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career, being with a championship-caliber team like Washington may help him get his career back on track. That is at least what ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler spoke about when an anonymous source detailed how important the trade was for Washington. "He's still a top-three tackle for me," an AFC scout said to Fowler. "And anything you can do to protect Jayden Daniels and load up while he's on his rookie deal is smart. They gave up a little more than I'd like but I trust AP [general manager Adam Peters] that he knows what he's doing here." Advertisement Washington's important goal last season was stabilizing the offensive line. The line was inconsistent in protecting star quarterback Jayden Daniels. After reaching the conference title game for the first time in three decades, it's clear that the team needed to do whatever it took to try and build around their young signal-caller. That is why the team added Tunsil in the first place, and it seems like the rest of the league knows how important that move is. Related: Commanders Aim To Keep Narrow Focus Amid High Expectations Related: Questionable Trade Proposal Has Commanders Sending Star WR to Patriots This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Could Panthers Land Hometown Hero Jaire Alexander
Could Panthers Land Hometown Hero Jaire Alexander originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It's not every day that a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback becomes available, but when the Green Bay Packers released Jaire Alexander, the NFL world took notice. And in Carolina, where offseason buzz has been limited, the idea of bringing Alexander home could ignite a fan base hungry for hope. Advertisement Alexander, a Charlotte-area native who starred at Rocky River High School in Mint Hill, has long expressed admiration for his roots. Back in his Louisville days, he made it clear that the Queen City held a special place in his heart. Even during a Packers visit to Bank of America Stadium, he named himself an 'honorary captain', a playful but telling nod to his hometown ties. Now, with his release official, the Carolina Panthers could present a compelling destination for the 28-year-old defensive back. It's a rare convergence of need, opportunity, and emotional appeal. On paper, Carolina has already invested heavily at corner with Jaycee Horn, a first-rounder with elite traits when healthy. But Horn has struggled with injuries, appearing in just 37 games over four seasons. Depth behind him, Mike Jackson, Chau Smith-Wade, and Shemar Bartholomew offers competence, not dominance. Add a healthy Alexander, and suddenly Carolina's secondary looks like one of the league's most fearsome. Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander gives the ball to a fan after his interception against the Bills.© JAMIE GERMANO/ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE / USA TODAY NETWORK The fit isn't just strategic, it's personal. Advertisement Alexander has spoken fondly of his desire to return to Charlotte, and there's precedent for hometown talent taking initiative. Just this offseason, Hunter Renfrow, another Carolinas native reportedly reached out to the Panthers looking for a chance to wear the black and blue. Could Alexander do the same? It's a question Panthers GM Dan Morgan can't afford to ignore. With head coach Dave Canales trying to reshape a roster that finished 5-12 last season, injecting energy and identity into the locker room is a must. Signing a player with elite skills, locker room presence, and a deep emotional tie to the city would check every box. Alexander's recent injury history, he played just seven games in 2024 might even help Carolina negotiate a team-friendly deal, something the cap-conscious front office needs as it rebuilds around Bryce Young. Advertisement The Panthers shouldn't just explore this opportunity, they should pounce. In a landscape where wins are earned as much in free agency as they are on Sundays, bringing Jaire Alexander home could be the bold, culture-defining move Carolina desperately needs. Related: Cam Newton Launches New BET Show, 106 & Sports Related: Bryce Young's Fiery Side Emerges at Panthers Minicamp This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox Sports
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Five things the 49ers must do to win a Super Bowl after paying Brock Purdy
After spending the past two seasons contemplating how to reward their franchise quarterback for his stellar work as a starter, the San Francisco 49ers now have to plot out how to build a roster around a big-money quarterback. With Brock Purdy commanding $265 million on a five-year deal, the 49ers must surround him with an elite collection of playmakers and pass protectors, while retooling a defense that has lost some of the swagger and sack production that made it one of the league's most feared units. Perhaps CEO Jed York, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have already crafted multiple versions of a plan designed to keep the team in title contention, while upgrading the depth chart to ensure Purdy has the surrounding personnel to help him maintain the gold standard of quarterback play that has the Faithful reminiscing about days of Joe Montana and Steve Young. Given Purdy's 23-13 record, 67.5% completion rate, 64:27 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 104.9 passer rating through 40 career games (36 starts), including a spectacular 2023 campaign, it is easy to envision the 49ers hoisting a Lombardi Trophy with him at the helm if they make the right moves to accentuate his game and elevate his play as the QB1 of a perennial title contender. Here are five things the 49ers must do moving forward to win with Purdy on a big-money extension. 1. Build a dominant running game around CMC and others in the backfield The 49ers' offense begins and ends with an old-school running game that transforms pedestrian runners into 1,000-yard rushers, and Pro Bowl-caliber playmakers into MVP candidates. CMC has flashed gold-jacket potential as the RB1 in a scheme that enables him to work the edges and between the tackles on zone and gap scheme runs. The two-time All-Pro is averaging 115.5 scrimmage yards, including 77.6 rushing yards, in 31 games with the Niners. In addition, he has scored 31 total touchdowns and claimed a rushing title with the club. While CMC is certainly the straw that stirs the drink, the 49ers have been able to post solid numbers on the ground with a collection of super-subs filling in at running back. Whether it was Jordan Mason (5.2) or Isaac Guerendo (5.0) last year, the 49ers averaged at least five yards per carry when one of the backups carries the ball as the temporary RB1. With the steady production forcing opponents to load the box out of respect for the running game, the 49ers' ground attack is crucial for creating big-play opportunities for Purdy off play-action passes. 2. Stockpile the lineup with "catch-and-run" specialists on the perimeter The 49ers' success through the air is sparked by their ability to transform short passes into big plays due to the explosiveness of their perimeter pass-catchers. Since Shanahan took over in 2017, the 49ers have prioritized running skills with their wideouts as part of an effort to maximize the potential yardage after each catch. The team has coveted playmakers with punt return experience to ensure their perimeter receivers possess the skill, toughness and contact balance to run around or through defenders in space. Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk were so effective as runners that the group earned the nickname "YAC Bros." due to their ability to rack up yardage in the open field. Though Samuel is no longer in a 49ers uniform, Kittle and Aiyuk are joined by Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall on the perimeter to continue the tradition in 2025. Measuring 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Jennings is a former high school dual-threat quarterback with a rugged game. He bullies his way past defenders, displaying outstanding strength and power with the ball in his hands. Pearsall is a slick route-runner with punt return experience at Florida (and Arizona State). Despite receiving limited snaps in 2024, the former first-rounder is an explosive player with the ball in his hands. While he lacks the size to run through defenders, the second-year pro flashes the speed, quickness, and burst to zip past defenders on crossers and diagonals. Given the 49ers' basketball team-like versatility within their WR corps, Purdy should continue to post impressive numbers in a high-percentage offense that relies heavily on "catch-and-run" concepts to a collection of rugged playmakers with big-play potential. 3. Keep the pocket clean for Purdy The 49ers' much-maligned offensive line is seemingly in need of a makeover after a disappointing season in front of Purdy & Co. The leaky pass protection often left the 6-foot-1 pinpoint passer under duress, while the inconsistent push in the running game hindered the 49ers' potential play-action aerial attack. While most of the focus has been on who will eventually succeed Trent Williams on the edge, the 49ers believe in their developmental process under offensive line coach Chris Foerster. The veteran has a knack for transforming unheralded players into solid starters in an exotic smash-mouth system that features a "plug-and-play" element for runners and blockers. Much like longtime running backs' coach Bobby Taylor has consistently discovered and developed late-round running backs into gems, the 49ers are counting on Foerster to transform a collection of low-cost free agents, developmental prospects, and reclamation projects into an upper-echelon front line. Although the results were disappointing last season, the cost-effective approach will enable the 49ers to absorb Purdy's big-money contract while acquiring premium assets at marquee positions. Moreover, the budget-conscious plan will help the 49ers stick to the blueprint (dominant running game + explosive play-action aerial attack + suffocating defense = wins) that has made them perennial title contenders in the NFC. With the 49ers committed to giving Ben Bartch, Dominick Puni, Austen Pleasants, Spencer Burford and Andre Dillard chances to carve out roles as short-term and long-term starters, the Faithful needs to trust the process when it comes to the development and improvement of the O-line. There's also the matter of 36-year-old Trent Williams, who returns after missing more than half of last season. The 49ers will soon have to find an eventual successor to ensure Purdy rarely deals with chaos from the blindside. Whether the team invests in a high-priced free agent or utilizes a top pick to add a franchise-caliber tackle to the mix, the 49ers must prioritize finding a premier edge blocker to protect their hefty investment in their young QB1. 4. Draft and develop a championship-caliber defense After dropping $265 million on Purdy to secure the most important position on the team, the 49ers must commit to building a championship defense with a collection of young, cheap defenders surrounding a couple of stars in the lineup. With Nick Bosa and Fred Warner established and paid like superstars, the 49ers have committed to the "draft-and-develop" process for the foreseeable future. The team selected defenders with their first five selections in the 2025 NFL Draft and added six total defensive stalwarts to a unit that seeks to re-emerge as a disruptive force under former and new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. The former New York Jets leader has successfully developed a host of young defenders throughout his time as a head coach and coordinator; the 49ers' desire to build a championship defense through the draft hinges on his developmental skills. As the 49ers attempt to incorporate Mykel Williams (EDGE, Georgia), Alfred Collins (DT, Texas) Nick Martin (DL, Oklahoma State), Upton Stout (CB, Western Kentucky) and C.J. West (DT, Indiana) into a lineup that needed upgrades, particularly along the front line, the combination of personnel and coaching could produce spectacular results between the lines. As Purdy's big money begins to put a dent in the cap in 2026, the 49ers will need to lean on younger players to balance out the books. With Saleh's history of crafting top defenses with newbies dotting the lineup, the 49ers' commitment to a "draft-and-develop" model should help the team effectively manage a roster that features a quarterback commanding big money. 5. Kyle Shanahan must avoid the temptation to justify Purdy's contract Despite the questions surrounding the 49ers' decision to reward their franchise quarterback with a contract that puts him near the top of the market, the team cannot deviate from the successful blueprint that keyed Purdy's success. As an efficient passer with a pass-first point guard mentality, the former seventh-round pick has been a perfect fit in an offense directed by a schematic wizard. Shanahan's brilliant play designs and timely playcalling make it easy for the fourth-year pro to string together completions and produce "explosive" plays on carefully scripted deep shots. Looking at Purdy's spectacular 2023 campaign (69.4% completion rate, 4,280 pass yards, 31:11 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and 113.0 passer rating), it coincided with CMC leading the NFL in rushing yards (1,459), scrimmage yards (2,023), and combined scores (21). Given the two-time All-Pro's impact, the 49ers should not depart from a successful blueprint that puts the franchise quarterback in a supporting role with the RB1 leading the way. While the money suggests Purdy should carry the offense as the NFL's newest member of the "$50 Million Club," the 49ers are at their best when the QB1 operates like a high-end game manager if his role remains the same within an offense that is loaded with blue-chip players around him. Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as a cohost of the "Moving the Sticks" podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ESPN's Bogus 'Cowboys Trade for Jalen Ramsey Story' Shot Down By Jones
ESPN's Bogus 'Cowboys Trade for Jalen Ramsey Story' Shot Down By Jones originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO - In case we haven't been clear enough in this space about the Dallas Cowboys' non-connection with the Jalen Ramsey trade rumor ... Advertisement We'll allow Cowboys COO Stephen Jones to put a punctuation mark on the bogus ESPN story. Rumors have led to speculation that the Cowboys could hit the free agent market or the trade market to shake up their defensive backs room even more. And that may happen, in some capacity, down the line. But recently, a 'sexy' name was broached. And (as is too often the case) it's ESPN's Jeremy Fowler who reported that the Dolphins are engaged with multiple teams on a Ramsey trade … And that the Cowboys, the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Commanders as potential suitors. immediately checked with multiple sources inside The Star. We were told the story was fake. Advertisement And now COO Jones is essentially doing the same, on the record. 'We don't have anything that's on the front burner,'' Jones said after the Tuesday OTA workout here at The Star when asked about more notable moves. So, he was asked pointedly, nothing to the Jalen Ramsey rumors? 'No,'' Stephen said. "He plays for the Dolphins.' Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has confirmed that Ramsey's time with the organization is all but over as the two have mutually agreed to look for a trade partner saying, "it was probably in the best interest for all parties to move forward (separately)." So a move there is coming; somebody will want this Pro Bowl-caliber player … but there are other risks to consider. Advertisement A player north of 30 years old in a premier position like cornerback is always a risk, especially given Ramsey's two knee procedures in recent memory. The finances for this return would be the biggest risk of all, as a trade partner would have to cover his $24.3 million salary in 2025. Miami signed Ramsey to a $72 million contract extension just before last season. A trade decision from Dallas would come down how much draft capital the club would be willing to send to Miami if they are fine with paying Ramsey's hefty contract - which given the Cowboys track record is a monumental 'if.' At this stage of the offseason, Miami has found difficulty in teams checking both of those boxes as a trade suitor. The Dolphins front office may have to consider swallowing some of that contract payment in order to get something done for Ramsey. Advertisement If it worked out, Ramsey's veteran leadership, track record, and continued solid play (when healthy) could be a scary skill set when put on the Dallas roster to play opposite DaRon Bland. So we can make the argument that Dallas should explore this. But as the club hopes that newcomers like Kaiir Elam (the former Bills first-rounder acquired in trade) and Shavon Revel (a prized rookie rehabbing his knee), such a move would represent a shift in Cowboys philosophy. In the end, though, we don't have to guess. And we don't have to make it up. Stephen Jones just told you "no.'' Related: Cowboys BREAKING With Micah Parsons Surprise Arrival at OTAs Related: Cowboys' Trevon Diggs Trade Rumors Cool With 'Positive Signs' Update Want more Cowboys? Come on inside the Fish Report! This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
