
The Athletic's analysis questions the strengths of the Washington Commanders' defense, highlighting concerns about their overall performance. The team is ranked 22nd among NFL rosters post-draft, indicating ongoing challenges.
**Commanders.com**
â QuinnâŠlikes how wide receiver Antonio Williams fits into David Bloughâs system because of his versatility. Like general manager Adam Peters, Quinn said Williams can play on the outside and in the slot, and heâs going to be used at both often. Williams has a demonstrated route running ability, and Quinn said the team is âpumpedâ to have him. â Although there wasnât any contact, Allenâs vision and ability to weave through blockers shone through during team drills. Those traits are exactly what Quinn likes about Allenâs styles. He knows where and how to hit running lanes, and that kind of knowledge is âa big deal.â â Practice felt a little more loaded compared to previous years. The afternoon featured two team periods and two seven-on-seven periods â a marked increase from what the 2025 class experienced during their first rookie minicamp practice. Perhaps it doesnât mean much, but Quinn did say at the end of the season that there would be several changes to the teamâs operations during the week. Itâs possible itâs the start of something new for the team. â There have been some discussions about joint practices with other teams, Quinn said during his press conference, but nothing can be made official until the schedule is announced on May 14. Quinn has several teams on his list, and there are several reasons why he wants his team to get more work against another opponent. He likes all the different looks and situations that can be simulated in practice â something that can be difficult to predict in a preseason game â and the competition that can come from facing another team.
List of players attending the rookie minicamp including the tryout players:
The Athletic expressed skepticism about the strengths of the Commanders' defense, stating, 'I donât know what there is to like about this group.'
The Commanders are ranked 22nd among all NFL teams following the 2026 draft, according to a projection model.
Concerns include the overall performance of the defense and the team's ability to improve from their previous season's ranking.
The Commanders' ranking of 22nd indicates that they have not improved from their previous season, as the analysis suggests they remain a low-performing team.


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Waldo Cortes-Acosta faces Alexander Volkov at UFC 328 this Saturday.
Devonta Smith and Makai Lemon could form a strong duo for the Eagles this season.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
â John Keim (@john\_keim) May 8, 2026
**Last Man Standig** (paywall)
Day 1 of the three-day rookie minicamp included a fair amount of 11-on-11 work despite the lack of familiarity among the mix of draft picks, undrafted free agents, practice squad holdovers and tryout players. No tackling or pads. Several offensive players who found the 6-foot-5, 243-pound Styles lurking in their area were surely thankful for those rules of engagement. There were moments when Styles emerged around the ball so frequently that onlookers perched above the primary practice field might have believed the offensive plan was to let the linebacker make plays. Regardless, Quinnâs Friday message regarding Stylesâs usage centered on getting âthe fundamentals down.â **Camp competition** For those hoping the signing of UDFA and former Iowa kicker Drew Stevens meant an honest-to-goodness kicking competition, Quinnâs one-word answer provided reason for joy. âYes.â Thatâs not to suggest that Jake Moody isnât the front-runner after making 10 of 11 field-goal attempts following his in-season signing, including both tries from 50-plus yards. But in an era where kickers routinely display the leg strength for boots from 60 yards and beyond, Stevens is the one to watch. The Hawkeyesâ all-time leader with 76 made field goals, Stevens went 22 of 28 last season, including 4 of 6 from 50-plus yards, with a long of 58. Not included: a successful 72-yard boot during a personal workout.
Commanders brought in tryout guys at long snap and punter so UDFA kicker Drew Stevens could get real work. Watching him now heâs definitely got a big leg. Ball still on the rise going thru uprights from 45 yards out. Looks like Izzo watching him
â JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 8, 2026 **Jersey numbers** In case you were wondering if [WR Antonio] Williams taking 14 was any kind of acknowledgment that he will emulate Detroitâs Amon-Ra St. Brown role in coordinator David Bloughâs offense ⊠nope. Williams, a slot receiver with the ability to play outside much like St. Brown, said 14 was his first-ever number. âI got a lot of great memories in this number and hopefully I can make a lot more great memories.â
**The Athletic** (paywall)
**Riggoâs Rag**
A first look at the Commandersâ rookies: what stood out about Sonny Styles, Antonio Williams Kaytron Allen and more. @espnrichmond
â John Keim (@john\_keim) May 8, 2026
Episode 1,321 â Guest: @MattHarmon\_BYB. Elite WR analysis regarding the Washington Commanders. â why he's high on Antonio Williamsđ„ â how Williams is slot-mostly but not slot-only â More appealing â Brandon Aiyuk or Stefon Diggs? â Terry McLaurin analysis
â Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) May 8, 2026
**ESPN**
**The Athletic** (paywall)
The NFL announced that the 2026 regular-season schedule will be unveiled at 8 p.m. ET Thursday. Viewers can watch it live on the NFL Network, ESPN2, the ESPN App and NFL+. As Super Bowl LX champions, the Seattle Seahawks will host the season opener on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Itâs only the second time in league history that a season will kick off on a Wednesday instead of a Thursday, with the other time being in 2012. That year, President Barack Obama was set to speak Thursday night of opening week at the Democratic National Convention. Teams that are options for the Seahawks to open against include the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Giants, and Arizona Cardinals. The NFL will announce its remaining 2026 International Games at 9 a.m. ET Wednesday on âGood Morning Footballâ on the NFL Network. This season, a record nine international contests will be played across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums.
NFL has confirmed that the schedule release will be next Thursday, May 14. pic.twitter.com/mEfhHKKR2m
â Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 8, 2026 NFL Schedule Release Week đïž
Each network is expected to announce select games ahead of the full release on the day of their Upfronts:
Monday, May 11 NBC/Peacock â 10:30 AM FOX â 4:00 PM Amazon â 6:30 PM
Tuesday, May 12 Disney â 4:00 PM
Wednesday, May 13 NFL Network â 9:00 AMâŠ
â Ozzy (@OzzyNFL) May 8, 2026
**ESPN**
The NFL Referees Association ratified a new 7-year collective bargaining agreement Friday with the NFL, concluding a multiyear negotiation and eliminating the possibility of a work stoppage prior to the 2026 season. Full details of the agreement were not immediately available, but the NFL tied the negotiations into several initiatives for improving officiating and, according to sources, the league will get increased access to officials in the offseason for a formal training program during minicamps, training camps and joint practices. The NFL will also develop a bench of officials and will have greater latitude to use performance metrics for postseason assignments rather than seniority.
.@JFowlerESPN reacts to the seven-year collective bargaining agreement with the NFL and NFL Referees Association đ€ pic.twitter.com/DrpRrB1mWD
â NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) May 8, 2026 **From Front Office Sports:** The new agreement contains a series of provisions that enhance performance monitoring and referee training. Among the key terms:
The NFL and the NFL Referees Association have reached a seven-year collective bargaining agreement that will run through the 2032 NFL season. The current deal was scheduled to expire on May 31. pic.twitter.com/goAXAxEB4Y
â Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 8, 2026
**NFL.com**
**The Athletic** (paywall)
The Packers signed McManus to a three-year, $15.3 million extension before the 2025 season with $5 million guaranteed and a $1 million roster bonus paid earlier this offseason, according to Over The Cap.
"The Green Bay Packers have released Brandon McManus..
The drafted Trey Smack in the sixth round of the draft" ~ @AdamSchefter#PMSLivepic.twitter.com/fNed4pRNZw
â Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 8, 2026 The Packers traded up in last monthâs draft to take Florida kicker Trey Smack, sending both of their seventh-round picks (Nos. 236 and 255) to the Seattle Seahawks and selecting Smack with the final pick of the sixth round (No. 216). The Packers signed McManus in Week 7 of the 2024 season after an experiment with undrafted rookie Brayden Narveson failed (he had replaced 2023 sixth-round pick Anders Carlson and veteran Greg Joseph). McManus provided stability to the Packersâ post-Mason Crosby musical chairs at kicker, hitting 20 of 21 field goals for the rest of the 2024 regular season (3-of-3 from 50-plus and 3-of-4 from 40-49 with his lone miss coming from 46 yards in the rain at Lambeau Field against the Detroit Lions). McManus struggled while kicking through a right quad injury last season but found consistency once healthy, finishing the year 24-of-30 on field goals but with 13 consecutive makes to end the regular season (only 1-of-1 from 50-plus during that stretch). However, McManus has faltered in Green Bayâs biggest moments, missing a 38-yard field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024 wild-card round and missing two field goals (44 and 55 yards) and an extra point during Januaryâs wild-card collapse against the Chicago Bears in a 31-27 defeat.
With Sonny Styles & Antonio Williams counting in the top-51 contracts, the Washington Commanders, with $43.7m, now rank 4th in available salary cap space in NFL per Over the Cap.#RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/aO0lLQVGPL
â Bill-in-Bangkok (@billhorgan2005) May 9, 2026 Commanders UDFA kicker Drew Stevens from Iowa said he had interest from the Bills and Titans but thought Washington was best option. Said his FG range is comfortable to at least 60 pic.twitter.com/sLKYDj22Ad
â JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 8, 2026 Talked to a rep that was at Commanders RMC today who praised Sonny Styles and how he âmoves differentâ up close and personal.
âLoved his tape, but seeing 245 move like that up close â special.. he could even be a special TE in this league if he wanted to⊠different type of guy,âŠ
â Ryan Fowler (@\RyanFowler\) May 8, 2026 Antonio Williams returned 39 punts for Clemson, averaging 9 yards per return over his 4-year career.
â COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) May 8, 2026 Chris Hilton Jr staying late and hitting Jugs machine. UDFA WR out of Louisiana played w Jayden at LSU. Same hometown as Doug Williams pic.twitter.com/GskS3Nbdwx
â JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 8, 2026 Good clip of the learning for young QBs in a new offense. Takes some extra time to get the call in the huddle, TE lines up wrong, have to reset and start again.
If Blough is using West Coast terminology, that play would be something like âWest Right Slot F Left 19 Wanda F Siftâ
â Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) May 8, 2026 Looks like he could be Cooleyâs son đ
â Marshall (@MarshW\_7) May 9, 2026 Athan Kaliakmanis says Jayden Daniels texted him after Washington picked the Rutgers QB to congratulate him pic.twitter.com/ylA0FMNC8o
â JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 8, 2026 Commanders UDFA Chris Hilton catching a 50yd TD from Jayden Daniels at LSU pic.twitter.com/wnUjESSJRL
â Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch\_Tischler) May 8, 2026 Washington Commanders WR Chris Hilton Jr. is wearing number 10. Currently shared with Tress Way. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/Pw1Em5Llqe
â NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl\_jersey\_num) May 8, 2026 Washington Commanders WR Jaden Bradley is wearing number 86. Last assigned to Zach Ertz. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/5Q8W379HST
â NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl\_jersey\_num) May 8, 2026 Washington Commanders OL Tanoa Togiai (@TanoaKaio) is wearing number 62. Last assigned to Tyre Phillips. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/5866y3hVbG
â NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl\_jersey\_num) May 8, 2026 Washington Commanders DL Jeffrey M'ba (@jeffrey\_mbaa) is wearing number 60. Last assigned to Michael Deiter. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/XPbENBRnge
â NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl\_jersey\_num) May 8, 2026 Washington Commanders TE Quentin Moore (@Quentinmoore88) is wearing number 40. Last assigned to Tyler Owens. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/mfgeSubmGC
â NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl\_jersey\_num) May 8, 2026 Washington Commanders DB Fred Davis II (@\_\_FredDavis) is wearing number 38. Last assigned to Chase Edmonds. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/s0A9fBycEW
â NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl\_jersey\_num) May 8, 2026 Washington Commanders DB Malik Spencer (@MalikSpencerMSU) is wearing number 36. Last assigned to Chris Rodriguez. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/l0VT3hKwA1
â NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl\_jersey\_num) May 8, 2026 Washington Commanders RB Robert Henry Jr. (@robertThenry6) is wearing number 30. Last assigned to Austin Ekeler. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/zMM6SIvdz6
â NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl\_jersey\_num) May 8, 2026 Washington Commanders K Drew Stevens (@DrewTS7) is wearing number 19. Currently shared with Nick Nash. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/PrCSY3TSVs
â NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl\_jersey\_num) May 8, 2026 Washington Commanders WR Nick Nash (@nicknash) is wearing number 19. Currently shared with Drew Stevens. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/Ppsh2mR1Zq
â NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl\_jersey\_num) May 8, 2026 Washington Commanders WR Ja'Corey Brooks (@c7\_brooks) is wearing number 88. Last assigned to River Cracraft. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/ydDokHs8zi
â NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl\_jersey\_num) May 8, 2026 Washington Commanders OL Tyler Cooper (@tmcoop5) is wearing number 63. Last assigned to Tyler Biadasz. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/RHM7dFZAOl
â NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl\_jersey\_num) May 8, 2026 Here's how Sonny Styles said he landed on #52
"My dad was like 5 + 2 is 7, thatâs your draft pick so I was like dang, thatâs cool." pic.twitter.com/NXnwHwRO9B
â John Doran (@JohnDoranTV) May 8, 2026 Dan Quinn wearing the spear hat đ pic.twitter.com/wfqwKUf0yF
â Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch\_Tischler) May 8, 2026 The #Browns have placed LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list for the second straight season.
That means he will not play in 2026. pic.twitter.com/3p6D7cCoqu
â Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 8, 2026 The #Jets and star RB Breece Hall have a deal, extending him long-term rather than have him play on the tag.
Itâs a 3-year, $45.75M deal worth $15.25M per year done by agent @AgentNicoleLynn of @KlutchSportspic.twitter.com/vJ0x90kGcF
â Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 8, 2026 Cried for the first time since I tore my ACL. This day really hit different for me manđđŸđ€đŸ
â Breece Hall (@BreeceH) May 8, 2026 "I was told that there were a few other teams that were in on Jauan Jennings..
The Dolphins, Commanders, and the Chiefs were interested..
I believe Minnesota was the only place that he visited" ~ @AdamSchefter#PMSLivepic.twitter.com/nHquV9DprD
â Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 8, 2026 I've been doing this exercise with @RealJackAndrade for the last several years. It's a better reflection of my opinion than a draft grade. This is based on hard numbers vs emotions. Last year, the top 3 in this ranking: 1) CLE 2) NE 3) SEA
â Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) May 8, 2026 Congrats to Heinicke for a nice career and becoming a local legend.
This is the play I knew that he was operating with some form of dark magic.
Happy retirement #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/HjXonh05eN
â Denton Day (D-Day) (@TheDentonDay) May 7, 2026 This is the dumbest post Iâve ever read. đ Whatâs wrong with TH4 calling the team âSkinsâ thereâs plenty of Redskins alumn calling the team âCommandersâ now, they of course never played for the Commanders. This is dumb. đ
â áIGGO 70 ááŒIá âą đđ€đœđ§ (@karl\_diesel) May 9, 2026 WHOLESOME: Washington #Commanders fans with an emotional thank you video for quarterback Taylor Heinicke after he announced his retirement today.
Heinicke led Washington to a playoff game and gave fans the ride of their life.
Congratulations legend.
𫥠pic.twitter.com/6neU32512i
â MLFootball (@MLFootball) May 8, 2026 close enough đ€ pic.twitter.com/acJnOmeQiv
â Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 9, 2026 NFC East Meeting: Draft Edition pic.twitter.com/rfgKHlswOA
â Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) May 9, 2026