Hogs Haven
A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, and a sprinkling of other stuff
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.
The verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
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.
1) Will Terry McLaurin show up? All is well in the nation’s capital after the Commanders’ surprising 2024 campaign — that is [aside from] McLaurin’s contract kerfuffle with management. The Pro Bowl wide receiver did not show for [some] voluntary organized team activities [and skipped] mandatory minicamp in the Spring, subjecting himself to [possible] fines as he seeks a contract extension.
On Tuesday, a “frustrated” McLaurin, speaking for the first time since skipping spring [Phase 3 OTAs],...
