Latest news with #DanGraziano
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
It's not an overreaction: Commanders can win the NFC East
Don't look now, but the Washington Commanders are a contender. Last season, Washington shocked everyone, going 12-5 in the regular season and advancing all the way to the NFC championship game. Unfortunately, the Philadelphia Eagles were just better. Washington did have one victory over its NFC East rival last season, when quarterback Jayden Daniels passed for five touchdowns against the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense to shock the Eagles. If there's a positive to losing to a divisional rival in the NFC championship, it allows you to see where you stack up. Philly not only had a better roster than Washington last season, but the Eagles had the NFL's best roster. Stacked at almost every position, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, Washington GM Adam Peters had his work cut out for him this offseason. The Commanders were aggressive, trading for Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel, while also adding a smaller draft class, but one where all five picks could find a role in 2025. Washington also made several defensive moves. Are those moves enough? ESPN's Dan Graziano covered several topics in his latest column. He would render a verdict on each one on whether it was an overreaction or not an overreaction. One of those topics was whether or not it was the Commanders' turn to win the NFC East. Graziano determined that this was not an overreaction. Not much was expected of the Commanders last season, but they were one of the great surprises. Led by new head coach Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders won their final five games of the regular season (including one against the Eagles) to make the playoffs as a wild card. Then they upset the Buccaneers and Lions to advance to the NFC Championship Game. Washington's 12-5 record put the team only two games behind Philadelphia, and they traded for veterans such as left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. in an effort to take the next step and maximize Daniels' rookie-contract window. The Eagles still look phenomenal and deservedly will open as the division favorites, but no team has repeated as NFC East champion since 2004. The Commanders have their sights set on bigger things in 2025. It's probably actually the Giants' turn, because every other NFC East team has won the division at least three times since New York last did it in 2011. But since a Giants division title would be an even bigger surprise than what Washington did last season, let's keep it focused on the Commanders for now. Quinn took the Falcons to the Super Bowl in his second season as Atlanta's head coach, so he's not one to temper expectations. The experience Daniels got and the poise he has already shown in fourth quarters of huge games should only help him moving forward. Championship-seasoned veterans such as Bobby Wagner and Zach Ertz, who were brought in to help jump-start a fresh culture, are back for another run. Veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore should be better than he was in his post-trade-deadline stint last season. And while there's no reason to doubt the Eagles, it's incredibly tough to repeat as champion in this division. Dallas should be better with quarterback Dak Prescott back healthy, but Washington looks to have more than the Cowboys do. It's very possible that the Commanders take another leap and finish on top in the East. The Eagles are still the class of the NFC East. Sure, Philadelphia lost some key players, such as defensive end Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Milton Williams, but the Eagles were so deep at those positions that they are more able than most teams to withstand free-agent departures. Things are different for Washington now because it has a quarterback. Jayden Daniels gives the Commanders a real chance to win a championship. His presence allows Peters to rebuild around the young franchise passer the right way and remain a contender. What about Dallas and New York? The Cowboys will compete for a playoff spot, but are not a threat to win the NFC East in 2025. The Giants should be improved in 2025, but it may not be enough to save GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: It's no overreaction: the Commanders can win the NFC East
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will 'Common Sense' Prevail In Commanders' Terry McLaurin Contract Saga?
Will 'Common Sense' Prevail In Commanders' Terry McLaurin Contract Saga? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. We are now a couple of weeks away from likely seeing Washington Commanders' receiver Terry McLaurin consider holding out of training camp. Advertisement The star wideout has reportedly been unhappy with the lack of progress in negotiations for a new deal, and for a player deemed critical to the offense's success, that isn't ideal. McLaurin held out of mandatory minicamp and now looks set to continue that at training camp, which for a franchise aiming for a Super Bowl, this has to get done, and quick. But for ESPN's Dan Graziano, things aren't exactly going well, with a lack of movement being the big story. 'Unfortunately, not a ton, which is really the story,' Graziano said on NFL Live. 'The Commanders and Terry McLaurin haven't made much progress toward a new deal. He has one year left on his contract, going to make about $19.5 million this year, but of course, we know the wide receiver market has sailed way past that. So, McLaurin would like something that brings his contract a little more in line with the top guys and reflects the way he performed. Advertisement "Common sense indicates that this gets done at some point. He wants to be there. They want him there. But so far, they really have not been able to see eye to eye.' Terry McLaurin and the Commanders are currently in contract talksGeoff Burke-Imagn Images Given how the Commanders approached the offseason with the "all-in" trades of Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil, it doesn't make sense that the franchise would jeopardize its chances of a deep playoff run over paying its most consistent and loyal player. Set to want roughly $30 million APY, the going rate for receivers, there's no denying McLaurin is worth that, and it appears he is determined to get it. As Graziano states, common sense should prevail here, but as we know, when this sort of money is involved, from the outside at least, there might not be much common sense at play here. Advertisement Terry wants a new deal, and yes, we think he and the franchise will come to terms, but the longer this goes, the more unsettling it gets for Washington fans. Related: Commanders Will Ask Jayden Daniels To Improve in One Major Pocket Category Related: Commanders Signing 10-Year Edge Rusher Pitched As Dan Quinn Move This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Buccaneers star defender seen to have a 'player friendly' deal
The Bucs and their front office have done a good job over the years of navigating the salary cap, while also making sure their players are well compensated. Recently, ESPN's Dan Graziano compiled a list of player and team-friendly deals, and the contract for safety Antoine Winfield Jr. The former Golden Gopher safety earned a dub for having a player-friendly contract of four years, $84.1 million. Graziano writes, "Winfield is the league's second-highest paid safety by average annual salary, just slightly behind Joseph. But the rest of the deal is great for Winfield in comparison. Winfield got a $20 million roster bonus in 2024 and fully guaranteed salaries of $4 million in 2024 and $21 million in 2025. He's sure to make $45 million over the first two years of the deal and would make $64.5 million over the first three if he stays in Tampa Bay. It's strong money, given the rest of the safety market." Winfield being on a player-friendly deal may seem like it isn't helping the team, but when he is healthy, there are not many safeties who are better than him. He has become the leader of the Bucs' secondary, and when Lavonte David retires, he will assume the role of captain of the entire unit.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Analyst Predicts Giants QB Battle Takes New Turn in Camp
Analyst Predicts Giants QB Battle Takes New Turn in Camp originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Giants signed former Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback for the 2025 season. They drafted 25th overall pick Jaxson Dart to be their signal-caller of the future. Advertisement That was New York's plan moving forward. New York is doing everything it can to ensure Dart does not take the field early in his rookie year. The team wants him to learn the game from the sidelines before thrusting him into NFL action. Things can change quickly, though. That is why ESPN's Dan Graziano reported Dart could get on the field sooner rather than later this season. "Every year, it seems there's at least one team telling us it wants to sit its rookie quarterback as long as possible — all year, if necessary," Graziano said. "The Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to make double sure they had capable veteran options while Dart developed into an NFL-ready starter. Advertisement "But the reality is, it rarely works out." Graziano later pointed to examples such as Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, Justin Herbert in Los Angeles and even Baker Mayfield in Cleveland as reasons to believe Dart could see the field earlier than anticipated. But there is no data to predict whether a rookie quarterback will be successful. Some signal-callers, like Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes, did not get the chance to start in games throughout his first year. Instead, that year of sitting on the sidelines behind a veteran was instrumental to his development. The Giants have the right formula in place to help Dart succeed. They have an offensive-minded coach and two veterans with plenty of experience in front of him. Advertisement Whether he sees the field early in 2025 or not is irrelevant. New York may finally have a long-term answer at the position. Related: Giants Icon Lawrence Taylor Hit with Surprise Trash Talk By Michael Jordan Related: Jalin Hyatt Hoping For Resurgence After Major Offseason Change This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers Given Brutally Frank 'Dream Team' Comparison After Jalen Ramsey Trade
Steelers Given Brutally Frank 'Dream Team' Comparison After Jalen Ramsey Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers rolled the dice on a major gamble Monday, trading for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. He and the Miami Dolphins reached the end of their relationship and had sought after a trade partner. Advertisement Pittsburgh became the target, sending Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami while also getting Jonnu Smith in the deal. But the focus of the deal centers on Ramsey. The Steelers needed secondary help given their concerns for Darius Slay and Joey Porter Jr. heading into this season. Ramsey certainly provides some stability on one side of the deal though he comes at a very high price. This marks yet another big name with debatable benefits for the roster. The Steelers previously traded for DK Metcalf and signed Aaron Rodgers, marking the additional polarizing faces entering the locker room in 2025. Clearly, the Steelers are trying to maximize the one year they will have with Rodgers. But in terms of actually getting closer to title contention, many believe that to still be in doubt. Advertisement Dan Graziano even issued the comparison to the Philadelphia Eagles, but not the version that just won Super Bowl LIX. He made the case on Monday's episode of "First Take" on ESPN. "The better parallel would be Philadelphia in Andy Reid's last year, when they went out and got all sort of stars... the dream team. Now, we were sitting there in the offseason thinking their roster was better. If the Steelers are going all-in, I just don't know how much they've improved their team this offseason." The Steelers still have a void at the No. 2 receiver and have additional concerns elsewhere. When their supposed big-name solutions carry their own baggage and noticeable shortcomings, there's even more reason for doubt. But Ramsey is still a premier corner and Smith just had the best season of his career. There is still plenty to like from this trade and how it shapes the Steelers' roster. Advertisement Pittsburgh will have their critics lined up if this blend of talent cannot change the course of the team this season. If this move pays off, however, the Steelers could become an intriguing player in this AFC mix. Related: Jalen Ramsey Trade Gives Steelers Best Corner Trio in NFL Related: Steelers' Blockbuster Trade Includes Pro Bowl Tight End as Aaron Rodgers Target This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
