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Minicamp notebook | Dan Quinn tells players to stay prepared during offseason break

“They’re away from this environment, where we’re together just as often as we could be,” Quinn said. “We’ve all read or heard stories in an offseason that trouble can be found. I just want to remember that we have one big rule, and that’s protecting the team. That applies 24/7, whether you’re here or elsewhere.”

Games are not being won in June, but the Commanders have had as successful of an offseason as they could possibly have in Quinn’s first few months leading the team. They had 100% attendance, got started on learning the offensive and defensive systems and saw improvement from No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels.

With the players taking a break before coming back to prepare for the season, Quinn wanted to give a reminder of how important this time off can be. That’s why he had linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., who was part of three Super Bowl teams in his playing career, speak to them about the time between the end of minicamp and training camp.

“He talked about that love, that connection, that work,” Quinn said. “He talked about being some hungry wolves, and knowing that’s where you make the difference that you will not let one another down. I thought it was such a powerful statement by Ken, and you can always count on him for that.”

Sports Illustrated

Washington Commanders HC Dan Quinn ‘Thrilled With The Guys’ After Offseason Program

The Washington Commanders linebackers coach shared an inspiring message with the team as minicamp winds down.

“As minicamp comes to a close, one thing that was cool today is [Linebackers Coach] Ken Norton visited with the team this morning,” Quinn said. “And as you guys know, Ken was a part of three Super Bowl teams back to back to back, but what he talked about today wasn’t about the Super Bowl teams, it was about the lead up to that and what these 40 days are like in between what you would call the end of the minicamp into what the start of that next is. He talked about that love, that connection, the work. He talked about being some hungry wolves, and knowing that’s where you make the difference that you will not let one another down.”

“A lot of people would say this is the end of the offseason program in a lot of ways. I see it as just our beginning and what we can be about and what we have. I think over the last two weeks I felt this momentum shift,” Quinn continued. “A lot of install had been through the first part of the offseason program. And now that those installs are going down, you’re seeing the skill and the execution going up and it’s been really exciting to see.”

“So, I’m thrilled with the guys. They’ve really put in the work. We started way back, I think it was April 2nd with the veterans. Then we added the rookies into that group and they really wanted to find out, the veterans did, are they for real? And how can they help us? And they absolutely answered that challenge in a very big way,” Quinn said. “So it’s a fun group to coach.”

After a four-win season, having a “fun” group or season alone will uplift the spirits around the franchise, and can even provide a spark to the fan base. With a breath of fresh air, the Commanders might be among the most interesting teams to follow this season.

Washington Post (paywall)

Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin have a bond and other minicamp notes

On the last day of practice before summer break, the Commanders appeared relaxed and optimistic.

Quinn is not ready to name Daniels Washington’s starting quarterback. But it’s fair to assume he will do so sooner than later. During organized team activities earlier in the offseason, Marcus Mariota took most of the first-team reps, but during minicamp, Daniels did.

Names to watch

Two under-the-radar players who had decent springs: undrafted rookie tight end Colson Yankoff and journeyman running back Jeremy McNichols. Both contribute on special teams, which could help them land on the right side of the roster bubble.

Yankoff, a former top quarterback recruit, played running back and special teams at UCLA. If he shows promise on offense, he could be a versatile blocker in the same vein as rookie tight end Ben Sinnott.

McNichols, 28, is already on his 10th NFL team and hasn’t had an NFL carry since 2021. But he’s been a key part of the team’s two-back sets this spring and has performed well.

The Athletic (paywall)

For Commanders’ Terry McLaurin, this offseason feels like the start of something special

“I think after the second or third crosser he threw, I started telling the other receivers, ‘You got to get your head (turned) around,’” the Washington Commanders’ top wideout said about the rookie quarterback.

Daniels offers plenty of arm strength, but McLaurin’s warning wasn’t only about power. Every quarterback has a different expectation when looking into the specific passing windows. Some will wait until the receiver is clearly open. The No. 2 selection in April’s NFL Draft “has a really good anticipation over the middle of the field. He can make those throws and give you a chance to run.”

Gaining yards after the catch would be a welcome change for the offense. According to TruMedia, Washington averaged 5.1 yards after the catch per reception last season, tied for 20th overall. The required footwork for such production was the primary focus of McLaurin’s offseason training, emphasizing getting in and out of routes quicker and with greater efficiency.

Washington Post (paywall)

D.C. unveils rosy stadium analysis amid pursuit of NFL’s Commanders

The report paints a positive picture of how the city’s existing sports teams have benefited surrounding communities.

The report paints a positive picture of how the city’s sports teams have benefited surrounding communities and estimates that a new mixed-use development anchored by an NFL stadium could result in 2,095 annual new jobs and $1.26 billion in yearly economic output — a measurement of goods and services produced.

“Hosting an NFL franchise is a once in a generation placemaking opportunity,” the report said.

But some economists and at least one elected official who reviewed the report were skeptical of some of its findings.

But a second report examining ideas for how to finance a new stadium or rehabilitating the current one wasn’t published Thursday. A spokesperson for the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, which oversaw the study, said in a statement that it had no plans to release that analysis.

Thursday’s report examines commercial real estate development and the economic impact that has come from facilities such as Nationals Park, concluding broadly that sports teams and their facilities have had a net positive impact on surrounding neighborhoods, measured by job creation, hotel performance and consumer spending.

The report also notes that 88 percent of the city’s visitors to major arenas and sports venues come from outside the District — suggesting that sports are a strong draw for tourism with the potential to “generate substantial economic benefits for District residents.” The report concludes that facilities nationwide that are integrated into surrounding environments generate more economic activity compared to stand-alone, “island” stadiums that may prioritize parking over economic development.

Podcasts & videos

“At The Top of the Pile” | Commanders Log: Season 3, Episode 3

Photos

Commanders.com

PHOTOS | Commanders minicamp, 06/13

Check out all the action from the Washington Commanders’ final practice of mandatory minicamp.

NFC East links

NFL.com

NFL concludes Eagles did not violate anti-tampering policy in signing Saquon Barkley

The NFL found no evidence that the Philadelphia Eagles violated the anti-tampering policy by signing free-agent running back Saquon Barkley.

The league informed the Eagles of its decision on Thursday.

“After a thorough review of the Philadelphia Eagles signing of Saquon Barkley, the NFL today informed the club that the investigation did not discover sufficient evidence to support a finding that the Anti-Tampering Policy was violated,” the league office said in a statement.

“In coming to this conclusion, the league reviewed phone logs, text messages and other documents related to Philadelphia’s free agency strategy and decision to sign Barkley. The NFL also interviewed several members of the organization, including Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni, as well as Barkley and Penn State head coach James Franklin. As with every review, should new evidence be uncovered, the league may reopen the investigation.”

Public comments, specifically by Franklin, set off tampering alarm bells. Barkley later dismissed the quotes as the Penn State coach misinterpreting the situation.

Nevertheless, the NFL reviewed the situation surrounding the Eagles’ signing of the former Giants RB to a three-year, $37.75 million contract in March and found no wrongdoing.

Big Blue View

New rules will make kickoff look like offensive run game — Giants ST coach Michael Ghobrial

Kickoffs won’t be a bathroom break in 2024

“It’s going to look more like the offensive run game than people think,” Ghobrial said. “The NFL has taken the speed and space out of it and there is just less space to necessarily get as creative with your blocking schemes as you would think.

“But the thing I’ve always coached our guys on, is it [the kick return] is the first offensive play of the series, and it’s our job as the kickoff return unit to put our offense in the best position to have success.”

That last bit is key for fans to remember: Special teams are important — occasionally vitally so. Games are won and lost on special teams plays, with yardage gained or lost on returns often being critical. Big returns or blown tackles often get highlight reel attention, but picking up an extra 5 or 10 yards every special teams play can add up in a big way.

“I think the number one thing is you always want to make sure your players are versed on the rules, number one,” Ghobrial said. “Whether it be alignments, when they can take off, those are the biggest things that I think you have to start when you’re installing a drastic rule change. What are they allowed to do and not allowed to do.

“Once you get to that, then some challenges can certainly unfold. The fact of the matter is things will reveal itself when it’s a little bit faster tempo and you are going against another team. So I think the challenge for every coordinator in this league is how quickly they can evolve after their first preseason game when they see it.”

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Pro Football Talk

ESPN proposed dropping Sunday price to $70 and offering single-team packages; NFL declined

Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal mentions a few nuggets from Edvard Pettersson of CourthouseNews.com.

First, Apple’s bid for Sunday Ticket suggested it could add 15 to 20 million new customers. Patriots owner Robert Kraft reportedly said in deposition testimony that was played for the jury last Friday: “We’re not looking to get lots of people. We want to keep it as a premium offering.”

ESPN proposed dropping the price to $70 for the full season and to sell single team packages. An email from Rolapp shown in court showed that the league didn’t like that.

So much for “what the fan wants and get[ting] as much distribution as possible.”

As previously mentioned, Sunday Ticket has seemed to be an antitrust violation since its inception. We’re forced to buy the entire slate for the entire year, even though it’s heavily marketed as a way for fans of one specific out-of-market team to see those games.

The plaintiffs argue that the league specifically kept Sunday Ticket expensive to ensure that plenty of fans would just watch whatever games were on their local broadcast networks.

NBC Sports

The Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence on Thursday reportedly agreed to a five-year, $275 million extension, according to multiple reports. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was first to the news.

Lawrence reportedly will get $200 million guaranteed, with $142 million of it coming once he signs the deal.

The $55 million annual average of the extension would tie Lawrence with Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow as the highest-paid player in the NFL.

Lawrence, the 2021 No. 1 overall pick, is coming off a decent 2023 campaign where some of his numbers declined following a surge as a sophom*ore.

NFL.com

NFL docks Falcons 2025 fifth-round pick, fines club $250K for violating anti-tampering policy

The NFL has found the Atlanta Falcons violated the league’s anti-tampering policy this offseason in the signing of three free agents, including quarterback Kirk Cousins, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Thursday.

The Falcons will be docked a 2025 fifth-round pick and fined $250,000 for logistical violations related to the signings this March of Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner. Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot also will be fined $50,000.

“While the policy permits clubs to engage with and negotiate all aspects of an NFL player contract with the certified agent of any prospective unrestricted free agent during the two-day negotiating period,” the NFL explained in a statement, “any direct contact between the player and an employee or representative of the club is prohibited. This includes discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to these three players.”

Other recent tampering cases have garnered far more serious punishment. In 2022, the Miami Dolphins were docked first- and third-round picks after the NFL determined the team had violated league tampering rules following illegal contact with QB Tom Brady and head coach Sean Payton while they were under contract with their respective other teams. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross also was fined $1.5 million as part of the disciplinary finding.

Pelissero reported that the Falcons were not punished more seriously because the violations are considered administrative, such as making travel arrangements after the players had agreed to contract terms. The NFL also did not find evidence there was contact with the players or their representatives prior to the free-agency negotiating window opening.

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