Washington Commanders News & Rumors

Commanders Host T George Fant

George Fant‘s busy offseason in terms of workouts continues. The veteran offensive tackle recently met with the Commanders, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports.

Schultz adds team and player will remain in contact over the near future. A deal could be in store soon as a result. Fant visited the Buccaneers last month, his first known workout of the summer. Previously, the 33-year-old expressed interest in joining the Titans or Ravens. With nothing happening on those fronts, Fant remains available shortly before the start of the regular season.

2024 saw Fant return to the Seahawks after beginning his career there. The former UDFA won the right tackle position but was limited to just two games due to injury. A veteran of 101 games and 75 starts, Fant could nevertheless offer plenty of experience at either tackle position as a first-team option or a high-floor backup.

The Commanders traded for Laremy Tunsil this offseason, and the five-time Pro Bowler will handle blindside duties as a result. On the right side of the line, incumbent Andrew Wylie and first-round rookie Josh Conerly Jr. are competing for the starting gig. Conerly saw time as a left tackle at Oregon, so he could assume the swing tackle role in the event Wylie were to win the ongoing competition. Fant could also represent a fill-in option at both tackle positions if he were to sign with Washington.

The Commanders currently have nearly $17MM in cap space, so a low-cost Fant signing would not be a challenge. It will be interesting to see if a deal is struck in the coming days or if his search for a 2025 gig will continue.

Workout Notes: Scott, Ross, Worley

The Ravens auditioned a notable backfield veteran earlier this week. NFL inside Jordan Schultz reported the other day that Boston Scott had a recent workout with Baltimore. The 30-year-old is healthy and in “terrific” shape as he continues to seek the “right” opportunity.

Scott’s long stint with the Eagles ended with the 2023 campaign, and his 24 touches represented a five-year low. Before that, Scott had a regular role on Philly’s depth chart, including 2020 and 2021 campaigns where he combined for 747 yards and eight touchdowns. He scored 16 touchdowns during his time with the Eagles, nine of which came against the Giants. He added another three scores in eight playoff games.

He joined the Rams last offseason but was among the team’s final cuts. He quickly caught on with the Steelers practice squad but only lasted a few weeks before earning his walking papers. He’s remain unsigned since that time.

The Ravens have plenty of depth behind Derrick Henry. Justice Hill will continue as the RB2 in 2025, and the team is still rostering the likes of Keaton Mitchell and former fifth-round pick Rasheen Ali. The organization added D’Ernest Johnson and Myles Gaskin to the RBs room this offseason, so perhaps Scott would be an option to temporarily replace one of those veterans.

More workout notes from around the NFL…

  • Before adding Roderick Daniels the other day, the Saints had a handful of wideouts in for workouts. This grouping included Justyn Ross, per veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer. The receiver got into 13 games for the Chiefs between 2023 and 2024, with all six of his receptions coming during his rookie campaign. It’s uncertain if Daniels’ signing would preclude a Ross addition, although the team did notably place WR Bub Means on IR today.
  • The Commanders had a handful of defensive backs in for workouts today, most notably cornerback Daryl Worley, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. The former third-round pick has appeared in 99 career games, compiling 344 tackles and six interceptions. He most recently got into nine games (seven starts) for the Titans in 2024. If the journeyman ends up joining Washington, he’d be adding his 10th career team to his resume. Cornerback Qwuantrezz Knight, safety Trey Rucker, and defensive back Jason Taylor were among the team’s other workouts.

Commanders Sign CBs Antonio Hamilton, Essang Bassey; T Lucas Niang Out For Season

A set of Sunday workouts for the Commanders quickly resulted in a deal being worked out for linebacker Duke Riley. More signings have taken place on Monday.

The Riley deal is now official, per the team. It was also announced that cornerbacks Essang Bassey and Antonio Hamilton have been signed. Both of them took part in yesterday’s workout, as noted by The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala.

Bassey has spent his entire career in the AFC West to date, bouncing between the Chargers and Broncos. The 26-year-old has 43 appearances and five starts to his name, and he will spend the coming weeks looking to carve out a special teams role. Hamilton, like Bassey, joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent but he has managed to stay in the league for nine years. Hamilton has made 18 starts (nine of which came with the Cardinals in 2023) but with 190 games to his name he will add experience to Washington’s secondary.

In corresponding moves, edge rusher Viliami Fehoko, cornerback Allan George and linebacker Dominique Hampton have been waived. Hampton was a fifth-round pick last year, so even though he made just one appearance as a rookie it is somewhat surprising to see him let go at this point. All three players will now hit the waiver wire; provided they go unclaimed, each will become a free agent.

The Commanders also placed offensive tackle Lucas Niang on injured reserve, ending his season. Head coach Dan Quinn announced yesterday (via JP Finlay of NBC Sports) that Niang suffered an ACL tear. The former Chief signed with Washington this spring and was set to handle a backup role along the offensive line. Now, that unit’s depth will take a hit behind Laremy Tunsil, Andrew Wylie and first-round rookie Josh Conerly Jr. Veteran cornerback/special teamer Kevon Seymour was also moved to IR on Monday. Unless he is released via an injury settlement, his season is over as well.

Commanders To Sign LB Duke Riley

Sunday saw the Commanders host seven linebackers on a free agent visit. That effort has produced at least one signing.

Duke Riley has a deal in place with Washington, his agents told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The news comes not long after it was revealed Riley was among the veterans who took part in a workout today (h/t Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). With 124 appearances in the NFL, he will certainly add experience to the position in the nation’s capital.

The Commanders’ depth linebackers have not stood out in the preseason, according to ESPN’s John Keim, and 2024 fifth-rounder Jordan Magee has also missed time. At a minimum, Riley is a trusted camp body who can absorb preseason snaps as needed, but his extensive experience as a special teams ace could give him a chance at a roster spot.

Riley, 31, appeared in all but one game for the Dolphins over the last four years. He was a core special teams contributor with a rotational role on defense until last year, when his defensive snap count plummeted to 42 under new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. It was clear that Riley would not receive another short-term contract in Miami, and he drew little interest on the free agent market this spring.

In Washington, the veteran linebacker will reunite with head coach Dan Quinn, who held the same position in Atlanta when the Falcons drafted Riley in 2017. The former third-round pick started 16 games across his first two seasons before an October 2019 trade to the Eagles, where he initially played special teams before taking over a starting role in 2020. A pre-existing relationship with Quinn and familiarity with his scheme should allow Riley to settle in quickly.

The Commanders’ group of workouts also included linebackers Amare Barno, Nicholas Morrow, Tanner Muse, Ronnie Perkins, Sione Takitaki, and Oshane Ximines, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic.

Nikhil Mehta contributed to this post.

NFC East Notes: Eagles, Campbell, Cowboys, Revel, Nabers, Giants, Miller

The Eagles nearly pulled off a trade with the Chargers to climb 10 spots, to No. 22, in the first round. It turns out, the defending Super Bowl champions were in talks to move as high as No. 18. While it could have been interpreted as an effort to land a prospect higher on the board, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes the Eagles’ attempts were aimed at ensuring Jihaad Campbell became Philly-bound. Teams’ concerns about Campbell’s medicals affected his fall down the board, and the Eagles ended up moving up just one spot (via the Chiefs) to obtain Campbell.

This amounted to essentially a free fifth-round pick going to the AFC champions, who had their eyes on tackle Josh Simmons. Campbell rehabbed from shoulder surgery in time for an early-camp push to start alongside Zack Baun. Barring another setback, it would stand to reason the Alabama product will beat out Jeremiah Trotter Jr. for that role to open the season.

Here is the latest from the NFC East:

  • In non-Micah Parsons Cowboys news, the team still is operating without two of its top three cornerbacks. While Trevon Diggs rehabs another knee injury that may lead to a delayed start to the season, Shavon Revel has yet to debut at practice because of an ACL tear suffered early during his final East Carolina season. Jerry Jones said (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota) the third-rounder is making progress, but a return timeline is elusive here. Revel’s father recently weighed in on the situation, labeling (via 105.3 The Fan’s Gavin Dawson) his son roughly six to eight weeks from returning. This would put the reserve/NFI list in play; such a move would shelve Revel for at least four games. Diggs is aiming to avoid the reserve/PUP list. These developments are affecting a Cowboys secondary that also has second-year backup Caelen Carson out for at least a month with a hyperextended knee, pointing trade pickup Kaiir Elam toward an expanded role.
  • Malik Nabers has been dealing with a toe issue since his LSU days. It caused him to miss the Giants‘ offseason program. No surgery has addressed this problem yet, but the team has not ruled that out. The murky situation is now leading to reduced practice time at training camp, according to ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan. Nabers, who also dealt with a shoulder issue during camp, frequently can be seen tending to his toe during practices; Giants trainers are helping him along as well. For his part, Nabers said he is “feeling great” and ready to build on last year’s impressive rookie season. With this being more of a management issue, the second-year wideout’s toe looks appears likely to continue as a talking point moving forward.
  • The Commanders‘ $6.1MM Von Miller contract includes $4.4MM in incentives. Sack-based bumps are present here, as Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes those start at the seven-sack threshold. Seven sacks lands Miller $500K, while another $500K would come his way by reaching nine. A total of $2.5MM is available through sacks. A Pro Bowl nod would bring another $500K, Florio adds. If Miller reaches 11 sacks and Washington wins its first NFC championship since 1991, Miller would receive another $700K. A Super Bowl win following an 11-sack Miller season would net the future Hall of Famer another $700K.
  • Jake Ferguson‘s four-year, $50MM Cowboys extension includes $30MM in total guarantees and ties him for the NFL’s seventh-highest-paid tight end; Florio confirms the full guarantee number is $21.41MM. Ferguson’s 2025 and ’26 base salaries are guaranteed at signing; his 2027 base ($6.25MM) shifts from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee in March 2027. The contract includes a $9.75MM 2028 option bonus, which is nonguaranteed, though Florio adds $1.59MM of Ferguson’s $2MM 2028 base salary is guaranteed for injury at signing. The deal includes another $9.75MM option bonus in 2029, with a $2MM base salary for that year as well. Neither 2029 figure is guaranteed. The Cowboys could cut Ferguson in 2027 with a $7.2MM dead money charge.

Josh Conerly Jr., Andrew Wylie Vying For Commanders’ RT Job; Sam Cosmi Week 1 Return In Play

The Commanders seemingly want to spend the bulk of their season with two new tackles protecting Jayden Daniels. Weeks after trading for Laremy Tunsil, Washington drafted Josh Conerly Jr. With the left tackle job unavailable, the first-round pick is competing at the other tackle spo

Conerly is vying to usurp Andrew Wylie at right tackle, ESPN.com’s John Keim notes. The rookie is rotating first-team snaps with the 2022 free agent signing, but the Commanders are attempting to give regular reps regardless of position. Conerly is seeing LT time when Tunsil is not in, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds.

Viewed as a future left tackle, Conerly — a college LT — does not have a route to that role thanks to Tunsil’s arrival. Washington has not extended Tunsil, though after trading four draft choices in that Texans swap, extension talks certainly would make sense. Tunsil has shrewdly commanded two top-market extensions, receiving the first a year after being acquired in a trade that sent the Dolphins two first-rounders. For now, Tunsil is signed through 2026; his ’26 base salary ($20.95MM) is nonguaranteed.

Tunsil extension plans would mean Conerly’s early-career stop will be right tackle. The Eagles had once envisioned a potential Lane Johnson LT transition post-Jason Peters, but the potential Hall of Famer became so impactful at RT no change ever transpired. Tunsil also played guard as a rookie (alongside Branden Albert), before moving to left tackle in Year 2. Conerly has not yet shown himself to be a surefire starter, Keim adds, keeping Wylie in the mix for another Week 1 starting role.

The Commanders’ RT starter for three seasons, Wylie accepted a pay cut this offseason. He is now on a one-year, $4MM deal. Tunsil’s presence also moved primary 2024 LT Brandon Coleman away from that position; the third-round pick is expected to play left guard this season, displacing 2023 free agent pickup Nick Allegretti. We heard after the Conerly pick Coleman would be more likely to factor in at guard than right tackle, and he has been working at the LG spot during training camp.

Wylie, who joins Allegretti in having a guard past in Kansas City, replaced Coleman at LG after the second-year blocker exited a recent practice, veteran Commanders reporter Ben Standig notes. Both the ex-Chiefs would represent plus swing options, even though they were signed to start. Allegretti is on a three-year, $16MM deal that runs through 2026. He started every Commanders game last season.

With Sam Cosmi recovering from a divisional-round ACL tear, Washington’s RG spot is currently open. Allegretti has seen some RG work during camp, but Dan Quinn is not ruling out Cosmi returning by Week 1. That would be on the aggressive side, but players have certainly made comparable journeys back previously.

Quinn said (via Keim) a Cosmi Week 1 return is on the table while also not dismissing a shift to the reserve/PUP list, which would knock the well-paid guard out for at least four games. The second-year Washington HC said more time will be necessary to determine if Cosmi will be ready to go.

The Commanders also could carry Cosmi over to the 53-man roster later this month and go week-to-week in the regular season, passing on a PUP stay in order to ensure he could play if ready to return by Week 2, 3 or 4. But Allegretti or Wylie, should the latter lose the RT competition to Conerly, represent solid backup options at RG if Cosmi is not ready to open the season.

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin Not Seeking Identical Deal To D.K. Metcalf’s

The Terry McLaurin situation remains one to watch as the countdown to Week 1 continues. A trade request emerged last week, but to no surprise the Commanders have no intention of dealing away their No. 1 receiver.

McLaurin is owed a total of $19.4MM for 2025, the final year of his current contract. An extension (bringing with it a notable raise) has been a goal all offseason, with Washington seeking to work out a deal. The Commanders are believed to be hesitant about authorizing a pact averaging $30MM or more per year based in large part on McLaurin’s age. Entering his age-30 season, the two-time Pro Bowler is a candidate to see his production drop off while playing out his third contract.

To date, though, McLaurin has been a model of consistency with five straight 1,000-yard campaigns and a strong debut season with quarterback Jayden Daniels. A move toward the top of the receiver market has thus been sought out, with the new deal signed by D.K. Metcalf upon arrival with the Steelers named as a McLaurin target. Both 2019 draftees have strong track records of production, but Metcalf being two years younger is a factor in his favor regarding a comparison for financial purposes.

McLaurin has been linked to Metcalf’s $33MM-per-year pact with respect to his Commanders asking price. While portions of the Metcalf accord are indeed on McLaurin’s radar, Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes a matching AAV is not necessarily being sought out (video link). Once the trade sending him from Seattle to Pittsburgh was finalized, Metcalf signed an extension including $80MM in total guarantees and $60MM locked in at signing. Those figures could also be key, in addition to overall value, in negotiations between the Commanders and McLaurin’s camp.

Washington general manager Adam Peters added Deebo Samuel this offseason as part of his efforts to improve the skill-position group complementing McLaurin in 2025. A number of changes along the offensive line could also help Daniels during Year 2 as the team looks to build off last year’s run to the NFC title game. Of course, McLaurin will again be a central figure in determining the Commanders’ success provided he is on the field this fall.

Samuel is a pending free agent, and Daniels having plenty of term remaining on his rookie contract should provide Washington with the opportunity to make at least a short-term investment with respect to a third McLaurin contract. If/when a deal is reached, it will be interesting to see how similar his new pact looks compared to Metcalf’s.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/2/25

Saturday’s minor moves around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

  • Activated from active/PUP list: TE Mark Redman

New York Jets

  • Claimed off waivers (from Broncos): CB Mario Goodrich
  • Waived (with injury designation): S Jaylin Simpson

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Danny Gray

Pittsburgh Steelers 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders 

Watkins and Campbell are among the notable veterans who are out for the season unless they wind up being released via an injury settlement and later signing with another team. Watkins left Arizona’s practice early on Thursday, and subsequent evaluation has clearly confirmed a notable injury occurred.

Campbell is dealing with a knee ailment, ESPN’s Todd Archer notes. Injuries have been a near-constant issue for the 28-year-old, who has played a full season only once so far in his career. The Cowboys marked Campbell’s third consecutive NFC East team, but instead of competing for a roster spot he will once again turn his attention to recovery.

Wallace has 96 games and 72 starts to his name, although his 35% defensive snap share with the Broncos last season was by far the lowest of his career. The 30-year-old will head to Jacksonville in time for the preseason. A strong showing through the remainder of training camp could allow him to occupy a backup role in the Jags’ secondary this season.

Commanders Do Not Intend To Trade WR Terry McLaurin

In the absence of progress at the negotiating table, Terry McLaurin went public with a trade request on Thursday. The chances of the Commanders dealing him away have long been viewed as low, and that remains the case at this point.

A number of teams inquired with Washington about McLaurin prior to the news of his trade request. As Nicki Jhabvala and Dianna Russini of The Athletic report, though, the Commanders informed suitors they have no plans of moving on from the two-time Pro Bowler. The sides remain at an impasse regarding extension talks, so interest on the trade front will no doubt continue until and unless an agreement is reached.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes a number of issues (including overall value and guarantees) are yet to be resolved in McLaurin’s case. That differs from, for instance, the case of Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals. The AAV of a new Cincinnati agreement appears to have been hammered out, but the sides are at an impasse with respect to guaranteeing more than the first year of any new pact. It remains to be seen general manager Adam Peters and the Commanders will be willing to reach or surpass $30MM per year on a long-term contract.

While remarking on the situation, one general manager told Russini they liken this case to that of Haason Reddick from last year. Reddick engaged in lengthy holdout with the Jets while seeking an extension following his trade from the Eagles. In the end, a short-term compromise was made but Reddick’s debut was delayed until Week 8 and he departed in free agency after an underwhelming campaign. Any similar absence through the regular season – something which, to be clear, McLaurin has not yet threatened – would of course be highly detrimental to a Commanders team aiming to duplicate last year’s run to the NFC title game.

During a Friday appearance on the Rich Eisen Show (video link), NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said a trade cannot completely be ruled out at this point. The Patriots are known to be a potential suitor in the event Peters’ approach changes and consideration is given to a swap. Such a move would leave Washington with trade acquisition (and pending 2026 free agent) Deebo Samuel atop the WR depth chart.

However, the Commanders have a star quarterback on a rookie contract, opening up a clear competitive window for them to build around Jayden Daniels before he commands a market-level salary. That would seem to include investing in a perennial thousand-yard threat like McLaurin – who already has an impressive rapport with his young QB. Coming to an agreement with the soon-to-be 30-year-old feels like an inevitability, whether it be before Week 1 or partway into the regular season.

D.C. Council Advances Commanders’ Stadium Deal To Next Step

The regular season has not yet commenced, yet the Commanders are coming into the year with one victory under their belt. Though it’s faced severe challenges ever since it’s conception, the team’s RFK Stadium Bill passed 9-3 in a vote by the D.C. Council, as first reported by ESPN’s John Keim. In a statement released by the team, owner Josh Harris called it a “historic moment,” saying the Commanders are now “closer than ever” to returning to their “spiritual home.”

While the vote is surely a victory in progressing towards the ultimate goal of building a new stadium on the site of the old RFK Stadium, located in D.C., there are still a few steps to go. As outlined by Mike Florio of NBC Sports, today’s vote advanced the bill to a second reading. A second vote will take place on September 17, whereupon, if it passes, it will move on to Mayor Mureil Bowser, a strong proponent for the bill who regarded today’s vote as a victory.

Per a diligent retelling by Keim, this project dates back to the day Dan Snyder announced his intention to sell the franchise, considering some believe this deal could never have gotten this far under Snyder. Within a week of the sale, the new owner, Harris, was meeting with Bowser and D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson to start building relationships.

Following a successful congressional vote allowing Congress to lease the federal land where the stadium would be built to the city for 99 years, a vote that needed unanimous consent from all 100 senators, the secret was out as Bowser, Harris, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell hosted a news conference announcing the deal between the city and the Commanders. This deal consisted of a $2.7BB investment from the team towards the stadium and a $1BB investment “through various means” from the city for the development of housing, a sports complex, and retail shops on the 174-acre property.

Despite a momentary threat from the commander-in-chief, the D.C. Council remained focused on pushing the deal forwards. With some financial alterations to the terms of the deal and some further discussion on the matter, Harris and the team were able to convince enough of the Council that they weren’t playing games and shopping around — it was D.C. or bust when finding a new home for the franchise.

A few more amendments in the days leading up to today’s vote did enough to secure the votes that were needed. As mentioned above, a second vote still stands as a future challenge, but Keim discloses that a source close to the situation has never “seen a second vote go a different way from the first.” Seeing the steps to come as a mere formality, the Council has told the team it can proceed with its planning for the stadium. A bumpy road home to be certain, with a few remaining bumps to endure, but a return to RFK Stadium is looking more and more likely for the franchise.