NFL Offseason - Teams other than the Northeast Three

[Husky25]

Sorry @Husky25

On the bright side, Terry and Deebo are in line to play and Mariota puts Washington toward the top of the ranks as far as back up QBs are concerned, but it certainly isn't ideal.

My son had a soccer game at 3:30, so I was able to watch most of the Patriots at home. It was 17-13 early in the 3rd, but when I pulled up a stream on my phone during his warmups, the score was 31-13. Needless to say the rest of the game was anti-climatic.

Washington was also on TV, starting at 4:25. So I decided to wait and watch it from the beginning. The recording never reached real-time, I turned it off after the 3rd, and haven't watched a down of football since.

A loss in a must-win game in Dallas was tough on multiple levels, but Daniels getting hurt was only one. He'll be back, but I hope they hold him out until he is 100% healthy. That franchise, and we who follow it, cannot abide another RGIII. The defense is a bigger concern. Dorrance Armstrong is also out for the year and joins Wise and Jean-Baptiste as DL on IR, The secondary (particularly Lattimore) is a sieve, and Matt Gay is...well as Hesh put it, "There's good and there's not good. [Matt Gay] is not good. Washington had the oldest roster in the league by almost 3 years...again. Something had to give. I just wasn't sure when. Last season's magic hasn't carried over and it gave in a big way.

 

[Husky25]

This thread has ended up being me giving updates on Washington. So be it. Here is my final post as it pertains to the dreadful 2025 season.

The season was derailed by injuries and age. I said back in September that they got lucky with both in 2024. It's never a wise bet to believe lightning would strike in the same spot twice. Washington is picking 7th as we stand today and has 6 picks in April. However, two are in the 6th round and none in the 2nd or 4th. Peters can move lower in the 1st and pick up a 4th rounder, but I don't see a path toward a 2nd without moving out of the 1st.

They have 90M in cap room, so filling out the roster won't be a problem, but they have got to get younger. They were the oldest team by far last season it it showed. Particularly on Defense, though Jayden Daniels being in and out of the line up didn't help. I also think Mariota's days as a regular starter are over. After last season, I thought he may have a Geno Smith like twilight, but that is not the case now. He's a free agent again so who know if he will be a Commander next season.

As a team, Washington needs help at TE, WR, and everyone needs OL. On Defense, they are a mess. They need Secondary help, Linebacker, and an Edge rusher all before mentioning a defensive coordinator.

2026 will potentially be the last season they have so much cap space. They will either have to pick up Daniels' 5th year (pretty short money actually) or pay him $600M over 10 years, so it will again be an interesting offseason.

The final consideration is if Kliff Kingsbury finds a new job, either HC or OC somewhere else. He is still making HC money from Arizona so he has the ability to stay put and I hope he does.

That does it...On to the Playoffs for New England and the 2026 season after that. See you around Combine time.

 

[HuskyHawk]

This thread has ended up being me giving updates on Washington. So be it. Here is my final post as it pertains to the dreadful 2025 season.

The season was derailed by injuries and age. I said back in September that they got lucky with both in 2024. It's never a wise bet to believe lightning would strike in the same spot twice. Washington is picking 7th as we stand today and has 6 picks in April. However, two are in the 6th round and none in the 2nd or 4th. Peters can move lower in the 1st and pick up a 4th rounder, but I don't see a path toward a 2nd without moving out of the 1st.

They have 90M in cap room, so filling out the roster won't be a problem, but they have got to get younger. They were the oldest team by far last season it it showed. Particularly on Defense, though Jayden Daniels being in and out of the line up didn't help. I also think Mariota's days as a regular starter are over. After last season, I thought he may have a Geno Smith like twilight, but that is not the case now. He's a free agent again so who know if he will be a Commander next season.

As a team, Washington needs help at TE, WR, and everyone needs OL. On Defense, they are a mess. They need Secondary help, Linebacker, and an Edge rusher all before mentioning a defensive coordinator.

2026 will potentially be the last season they have so much cap space. They will either have to pick up Daniels' 5th year (pretty short money actually) or pay him $600M over 10 years, so it will again be an interesting offseason.

The final consideration is if Kliff Kingsbury finds a new job, either HC or OC somewhere else. He is still making HC money from Arizona so he has the ability to stay put and I hope he does.

That does it...On to the Playoffs for New England and the 2026 season after that. See you around Combine time.

The division is interesting. The Giants found a QB. Have high draft picks. Should get better. Dallas...trying to rebuild. Dak quietly had a great year, but he's getting up there. Eagles have been so well coached that they have been strong, but they've been bleeding talent and are getting older. Should regress. Your Commanders have Daniels and otherwise need help. I tend to think all four teams will be "ok" next year, none great.

 

[Deepster]

This thread has ended up being me giving updates on Washington. So be it. Here is my final post as it pertains to the dreadful 2025 season.

The season was derailed by injuries and age. I said back in September that they got lucky with both in 2024. It's never a wise bet to believe lightning would strike in the same spot twice. Washington is picking 7th as we stand today and has 6 picks in April. However, two are in the 6th round and none in the 2nd or 4th. Peters can move lower in the 1st and pick up a 4th rounder, but I don't see a path toward a 2nd without moving out of the 1st.

They have 90M in cap room, so filling out the roster won't be a problem, but they have got to get younger. They were the oldest team by far last season it it showed. Particularly on Defense, though Jayden Daniels being in and out of the line up didn't help. I also think Mariota's days as a regular starter are over. After last season, I thought he may have a Geno Smith like twilight, but that is not the case now. He's a free agent again so who know if he will be a Commander next season.

As a team, Washington needs help at TE, WR, and everyone needs OL. On Defense, they are a mess. They need Secondary help, Linebacker, and an Edge rusher all before mentioning a defensive coordinator.

2026 will potentially be the last season they have so much cap space. They will either have to pick up Daniels' 5th year (pretty short money actually) or pay him $600M over 10 years, so it will again be an interesting offseason.

The final consideration is if Kliff Kingsbury finds a new job, either HC or OC somewhere else. He is still making HC money from Arizona so he has the ability to stay put and I hope he does.

That does it...On to the Playoffs for New England and the 2026 season after that. See you around Combine time.

I am not sold on Jayden Daniels. I think this year was a huge step backwards for him. If you look at him, CJ Stroud and Jordan Love, they were all placed way too high on pedestals way too soon. Looking even further down the line, as you said, he's got that 5th year and a big payday just up ahead. What happened to Kyler Murray and Deshaun Watson after they got the bag?

 

[Husky25]

The division is interesting. The Giants found a QB. Have high draft picks. Should get better. Dallas...trying to rebuild. Dak quietly had a great year, but he's getting up there. Eagles have been so well coached that they have been strong, but they've been bleeding talent and are getting older. Should regress. Your Commanders have Daniels and otherwise need help. I tend to think all four teams will be "ok" next year, none great.

The Giants' young talent is stabilizing the lockeroom, no doubt. Unfortunately for them (Fortunate for the rest), John Mara still owns the franchise.

 

[Husky25]

I am not sold on Jayden Daniels. I think this year was a huge step backwards for him. If you look at him, CJ Stroud and Jordan Love, they were all placed way too high on pedestals way too soon. Looking even further down the line, as you said, he's got that 5th year and a big payday just up ahead. What happened to Kyler Murray and Deshaun Watson after they got the bag?

Washington lost a lot of weapons during the 1st month of the season, including Daniels himself.

I also disagree with your assessments. After the Packers traded up to 26 to draft Love in 2020, he sat for two years behind Aaron Rodgers. That is not being put on a pedestal.

The Texans went 12-5 this year and CJ Stroud is about to play in his 3rd playoff tournament in as many years since being drafted. He's pretty good.

Deshawn Watson is a trainwreck. He was never indicted or criminally convicted, but is (was) on the business end of multiple civil suits and subject to NFL discipline by a league notorious for looking away from questionable behavior toward the opposite gender. Jayden Daniels' mother is his agent and business manager. It's not worth diving into it any further.

Other than both being dual threat QB's coached by Kliff Kingsbury, I don't think Murray is very comparable to Daniels either. Murray signed his monster deal containing a film study clause. By comparison, it was widely publicized in Washington circles that Daniels was the first player in the facility (and beating Kingsbury and Dan Quinn on many days) his rookie year, whether it be watching film, lifting, or otherwise preparing to play. Daniels is 6'-4". At 5'10", Murray has trouble looking over his offensive line. Also, Murray rode a single year (albeit 11-2, and statistically better in the Big XII than Daniels' final SEC year at LSU) as the Sooners' starter into the 2019 Draft. Daniels was 37-18 over five seasons, including 19-7 at LSU.

You may turn out to be correct, but I think the jury is still out and Daniels has more pluses than minuses.

 

[Husky25]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnddd, there it is...Dammit:

 

[HuskyHawk]

The Giants' young talent is stabilizing the lockeroom, no doubt. Unfortunately for them (Fortunate for the rest), John Mara still owns the franchise.

Not sure if Mara is the problem, but the front office certainly is. I still think the division is there for the taking if any of the four teams make the right moves. Philly is certainly strongest, but probably has the least ability to improve.

 

[Husky25]

Not sure 8f I like this on it's face, but OC and HC are two completely different jobs and Dabol was really good with Josh Allen.

 

[HuskyHawk]

So where do people think the coaches will land?

Giants - Harbaugh. Seems an ideal fit.
Raiders - ? Maybe Brian Flores (history with Brady). Rumors of McCarthy
Titans - who wants this job?
Browns - Chris Shula? Vance Joseph?
Falcons - Stefanski?

Kingsbury being out means somebody specifically wants him. Would seem to be a team that had an opening for some time like the Titans.

 

[Deepster]

Washington lost a lot of weapons during the 1st month of the season, including Daniels himself.

I also disagree with your assessments. After the Packers traded up to 26 to draft Love in 2020, he sat for two years behind Aaron Rodgers. That is not being put on a pedestal.

The Texans went 12-5 this year and CJ Stroud is about to play in his 3rd playoff tournament in as many years since being drafted. He's pretty good.

Deshawn Watson is a trainwreck. He was never indicted or criminally convicted, but is (was) on the business end of multiple civil suits and subject to NFL discipline by a league notorious for looking away from questionable behavior toward the opposite gender. Jayden Daniels' mother is his agent and business manager. It's not worth diving into it any further.

Other than both being dual threat QB's coached by Kliff Kingsbury, I don't think Murray is very comparable to Daniels either. Murray signed his monster deal containing a film study clause. By comparison, it was widely publicized in Washington circles that Daniels was the first player in the facility (and beating Kingsbury and Dan Quinn on many days) his rookie year, whether it be watching film, lifting, or otherwise preparing to play. Daniels is 6'-4". At 5'10", Murray has trouble looking over his offensive line. Also, Murray rode a single year (albeit 11-2, and statistically better in the Big XII than Daniels' final SEC year at LSU) as the Sooners' starter into the 2019 Draft. Daniels was 37-18 over five seasons, including 19-7 at LSU.

You may turn out to be correct, but I think the jury is still out and Daniels has more pluses than minuses.

I think you misunderstood me or I didn't make my points clearly.

On Love, I meant more that very limited success when he started vaulted his stock much higher than it may actually be. Same goes for Stroud. I don't know how much of either of their playoff appearances are their doing vs having 2 of the best defenses in the NFL. Stroud now has 3 seasons in and he's gone:

2023 - 63.9% / 4,108 yds, 23/5 TD/INT
2024 - 63.2% / 3,727 yds, 20/12
2025 - 64.5% / 3,041 yds, 19/8

Very pedestrian.

Watson and Murray are also examples of QBs that came on strong early, then regressed dramatically. In 2020, Watson had 4,840 yds and 33/7 TD/INT, got paid and hasn't had more than 7 TDs or 6 games played in a given year since.

 

[Husky25]

I think you misunderstood me or I didn't make my points clearly.

On Love, I meant more that very limited success when he started vaulted his stock much higher than it may actually be. Same goes for Stroud. I don't know how much of either of their playoff appearances are their doing vs having 2 of the best defenses in the NFL. Stroud now has 3 seasons in and he's gone:

2023 - 63.9% / 4,108 yds, 23/5 TD/INT
2024 - 63.2% / 3,727 yds, 20/12
2025 - 64.5% / 3,041 yds, 19/8

Very pedestrian.

Watson and Murray are also examples of QBs that came on strong early, then regressed dramatically. In 2020, Watson had 4,840 yds and 33/7 TD/INT, got paid and hasn't had more than 7 TDs or 6 games played in a given year since.

Probably a bit of both.

Watson's regression has in no small part to do with no longer being able to get away with his off-field "escapades (to say the least)." Being traded to Cleveland certainly didn't help either.

A bigger fear that has developed over the last three days in the DMV is JD5 being the second coming of RGIII. I would also love an indication that Josh Phillips isn't a "Little Danny" clone or that Adam Peters and Dan Quinn can overcome the rift that seems to be forming. A young QB needs either continuity or someone with an adaptable philosophy for the pieces he's given. The difference between years 1 & 2 for Mac Jones and Drake Maye jumps to mind. I have no appetite for a promoted QB coach who has limited game plan experience or who has to grow into the job. I believe this year is crucial for JD5 and he needs an established play caller.

The fact remains that Washington could not lean on many weapons that they planning on. I originally agreed with trading Brian Robinson, but gone are the days (ended in the early 90s) of a 30+ Y.O. workhorse running back (Eckler) and aging defense. That falls on Peters more than Quinn.

Word is that JD5 stood up for Kliff Kingsbury, but a competing theory is Kliff was looking for an out regardless. Looks like the Titans, with Cam Ward, might be a nice landing spot for him.