Hogs Haven
The Athletic (paywall)
He took over play calling in Week 11, following four consecutive blowout losses, and has left open the possibility that he could remain both coach and coordinator in 2026.
“I’m finding a battle rhythm,” he said Monday. “… I haven’t discussed or gone down that road too far yet but yeah, I would say that’s a possibility.”
So what’s different this time around? He says his support group is bigger, and he’s relied on it more — both during the week and on game days.
Whitt remains on staff and has not officially relinquished his title. But his role has changed. He assists in developing the call sheets each week and has spent more time working with the secondary, his specialty before becoming Washington’s defensive coordinator. During games, he sits in the coaches booth at the stadium to give Quinn another set of eyes on the coverages.
Quinn also relies on assistant head coach/offensive passing game coordinator Brian Johnson throughout the week and during games, as well senior vice president of football initiatives David Gardi, who has regularly been in his ear for game management strategy.
So far, the returns have been promising.
Washington Post (paywall)
Washington is optimistic the wideout will finally be back on the field Sunday, ending ‘probably the toughest stretch in my career, mentally.’
After missing 10 games with the injury, Brown is on track to return to the field Sunday, Coach Dan Quinn said. His return would allow the Commanders to have their starting wide receiver trio on the field for just the third time this season. Brown and Terry McLaurin, who returned from a quadriceps injury last week, will take most of their snaps at outside receiver, enabling Deebo Samuel Sr. to work primarily from the slot.
Asked about his level of optimism that Brown will play Sunday at the Minnesota Vikings, Quinn said Wednesday: “Very much in the green. High. So I’ve got good optimism.”
Brown’s return would be a welcome sight for the Commanders, given his production last year. He caught 35 passes for 453 yards in 11 games — including the iconic Hail Mary touchdown catch to beat Chicago — before suffering a season-ending kidney injury.
The Commanders saw enough to bring Brown back this offseason on a one-year deal, but he has hardly touched the field. During organized team activities in June, Brown suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss training camp. Then, in Week 2, he went down with the groin strain that has kept him sidelined ever since.
Commanders.com
Despite missing a total of seven games this season, McLaurin stayed true to his word by defying a rep count to make a big play in overtime. McLaurin admitted after the game that he was supposed...
