Who stays, who goes... looking at the Commanders own free agents

0:00Ampire. Hello, and welcome to my podcast. Do me a favor, subscribe to the John County Port, wherever you get your podcast. If you're watching on YouTube at that like button, hit that subscribe button. You can find us there as part of Ampire Media, AMP, R-E, always much appreciated when you tune in. You can read my work on ESPN.com. So I will have a story up on Tuesday about how the commanders can find there's one school that fills a lot of needs for the commanders at number seven. So they have four guys who fill a need for watching at seven, kind of rare to have one school that fills all that. So I want to talk to them about that. Yes, it's my own motto, but all these guys make sense. It doesn't mean there are take one. It doesn't mean there are guys that wouldn't be better for them at number seven if some of these guys are available. This means that there's one school that does have those guys. And yes, I'm still annoyed that they did not win a national title despite having all those

1:02guys. But they do make sense. So I want to go over that and have some quotes from Dan Quinn on a few of the players. I think you'll enjoy it just because some of these guys may be here. I think some of them will be difficult to get. So there you go. And then later in the week, I hope to have a story or talk more about the commanders and for agency. And I will be back. I'll have a podcast out. It's today. You're probably listening to this either Monday night or Tuesday of another podcast Tuesday night. Slash Wednesday morning with the video, just kind of going over some more stuff with commanders and another one at some point this week, whether it's that one or later, about what I think the commanders approach to for agency will be based on numerous conversations. So anyways, there you go. So today, I'm going to talk about the commanders own free agents. What I think will happen to them, who I think might return. And if some of the bigger names return in what capacity would they do so? I'm going to start with Chris Paul because he's not the biggest name, but maybe he might be the bigger surprise because he played very well this year.

2:02So my understanding is that he will hit free agency and because I think they feel like they feel like there's going to be a market for him. This team has already invested heavily at guard. They're going to invest with Sam Cosme. They drafted Connolly in the first round. At some point he's going to get paid, but obviously that's a few years away. So that's not a factor. But Cosme, they invested heavily there. They've invested a lot and learned me tons of left tackle, and they're going to give him an extension. Yes, that will get done this all season, but that's another one there. So they're not going to invest heavily at both guard positions. So that's one thing. Now, what does that mean for Paul? Well, he's not as good as Cosme. So they're not going to take the same, not going to get the same kind of deal as Cosme would, but it would require more of an investment. And the reason, so there's a couple of things with him. First of all, he did a nice job this year. There's no doubt about that. I thought he had a good training camp. And when Coleman came back, I thought, well, will they let him compete for the job?

3:03Because he was doing a good job when Coleman was out during camp. I think that's like, that was something that, so when they, when they sat Coleman after benched him after two games, then it made sense because Paul had done a nice job. Now, part of the reason they also benched Coleman at that point was not just because of performance, is because he kept getting, he kept having an injury issue or some sort of issue that would sideline him. So there'd be some momentum, some momentum, and then out, right? And that was like that the first two years. And they got to a point. So after that second game, he was still in the lineup. And then he comes to practice Wednesday, has a black, non-contact jersey on, and which signifies like, you know, no contact, but probably not going to practice. And then that Sunday was when they made a change. And so, you know, you're like, hey, you got to show you're durable. You've got to be able to play through some stuff. That was a big factor too, not just performance. It was that. And then because you had a guy who was like, hey, this guy is right there pushing him,

4:04put him in, let him go. So I think Paul did a nice job. I was impressed with how he moved his feet better. He was always good in a phone booth, always good with strong hands, right? But he doesn't move as well. And I think one thing too, to keep in mind, I think you're going to apply this to Tyler Biotis as well. In this offense, they want more athletic offensive lineman. Paul has improved with his movement skills, but I would not describe him as an athletic offensive lineman. Cosmeme, you know, tonsil, connolly, yep, yep, yep. Allegretti, is he a guy like that? Now, I don't listen. I bring his name up because I don't know if he's going to start, right? I think there's, I would say there's, everything I've heard is that there'd be competition, right? But he's, he's slightly more athletic than Biotis. So, but the point is, that's what they're looking for. That is not Chris Paul. So if you want guys who can get out and move, then you're going to find some more athleticism. That's what Coleman can do. So that's why they're sticking with him. But in an ideal world, you know, I know the whole thing is, hey, you, you build your home grown talent.

5:04You, you keep them, you're running. Yes. You don't make financial sense. You don't just keep them because they're home grown. You keep them because it makes sense. But to me, the key is, if you don't keep those guys, that's when you have to have the home grown guys to replace them and they do have Coleman there. So you don't need to invest heavily there because you do have another guy that you did like and keep in mind that, and I know it was like people, and I've seen them things like, oh, he was benched. Like, he played two games at guard, too. Like this. That's not enough to warn. If, if you went by two games, Chris Paul would have never seen the field last year. Because his first couple of games, he couldn't move. He couldn't do anything. So you have to give a guy a chance to play at the position if it's a new position and it was a new position for Coleman. I'm not trying to make excuse. I'm just trying to give perspective because again, if you didn't give Paul that sort of grace, he would not have played last year. He would not be in position to cash in on his own performance. So it does take guys time. Now, you need to see more from Coleman, right? I get it. You've got to see better from him. You've got to see the durability most importantly.

6:05I think if you see that, you'll see the other. And I do know in talking to Coleman that he felt like he missed a month of camp when he's playing, trying to learn a new position, learn, learn a new position in the NFL. He played in college, but the coaches felt like his best fight was tackle in college. A lot of before he came out more, where when he came out when they drafted him, talked to guys who were very mixed and where he felt he mixed, played best, they could be a good tackle, but a better guard. So we'll find out, but missing that time was crucial. It's just very crucial for development. So I'm really curious to see like, okay, now you've got to, you've got back, you stayed healthy all year. You've got all that time there. I know I finished that tackle, but you played a lot of guard in practice. What does it look like next summer? So like that's the thing they want to see. But if you can't assume that he's not going to get better, because again, if you apply that standard to him, then why did Paul get better? Well, Paul got better. Love what he did. He went and he worked out, I think it was a Duke Manny weather down in Dallas.

7:08Now it was at the, to me, from what I might have said, it was at the urging of former online coach Bobby Johnson, so, but he got better and he reshaped his body and it helped him. So, but the point is, it took him into that, his last year of his deal before he got to that point and takes guys, so you know, now is it a mistake to let him go? We'll see. I think, like I said, with Coleman, you have to see, is he durable? And if he is durable, then okay, but the other thing to keep in mind here, if Paul goes out there and does not find the market that he wants and he says, okay, he'll come back. I think I could see like a one year deal for him to get him back for a year and then go. So, is it impossible for him to return? No, but I do think you'll probably get something in the, in the free agent market that will be a good deal for him. And again, they then they just slide Coleman in there and now you go and they still have to look for a center. We know that. So, anyways, I think that, that's the big thing is just, I don't think they're letting a Pro Bowl guard out the door. I think this is not brand and share.

8:08So let's have, let me put some perspective on it, but he's not going to cost as much as share of either. I do, I do, I would, I decided to do a nice job and it would have been great to resign him, but I think if they, if his side feels like he's going to get a good deal in the free agency market, well then they're going to test it. And so, and again, if not, then he could be back. We have reached the end of the 2025 NFL season. The big game is coming. It's Seattle and New England out in the Bay Area and Fandall has you covered with everything you could possibly want to get in on the action of the big game between the Seahawks and the Patriots. All of your spreads, lights, overunders, prop bets, anything that you're interested in to get set for the big one as the Seahawks and Patriots get set to crown a new champion your home for all of your action is Fandall.

9:09That's part of the reasoning with it and some of that is, you know, obviously what I hear as a reporter, some of that is just own thoughts, like, like I said, with Coleman, it's just natural. Like, I, as a, I want to see him get more time there to see what it looks like. And I'm not making a judgment on his play a guard based on two games because if that were, again, if that were the case, there are a lot of players who you would say, like, go cut this guy now because he can't play because in two games, he didn't show it. I don't even, I'd have to go back and even watch the games to remember like, well, how did he even play? Because to me, the biggest thing was lack of experience there, but also the durability. That was the biggest thing. That is my biggest concern with him is that more so than Kenny, will he do a good job there? I think the athleticism, I think, will help him there. But the more, the bigger thing is, can he stay healthy? Can he stand the field and can he just be practiced consistently because that's something he has not shown that to me is more concerning or at least something I'm going to watch a little bit closer. Anyways, let's move on to number two, Debo Samuel.

10:11So I don't see it. I don't see him coming back. And the part of the reason is like, we know that they're looking for more explosiveness down the field. That's not Debo Samuel's game. He's not a great fit in this offense. There hasn't been a time where I felt like, well, I shouldn't say that. I think over the last couple of weeks, it's become clear to me that he'll be elsewhere. The only way that he could come back is if, again, nothing else happens anywhere and these guys still want someone in addition to whomever else they sign. And so they, but they, you know, Debo would not be a number two receiver here. They do not view him that way. And again, in this offense, he's not viewed as the fit for this offense. So I don't see him coming back, you know, but there you go. I would be, I would be a little bit surprised. I would not, I would be surprised by that one, but again, I don't expect him back. And he did a nice job for what they needed, but it's just not, it's not going to fit this offense. So Zacherts, I discussed him a couple days ago and just the way he would come back, again, let's listen closely, the way he would come back is if there's an emergency situation

11:12in during this, once you see them begins, because he's not going to be healthy until September or October. So you don't need to sign them before then. They're going to pursue someone in free agency, whether or not they get them, we'll see. And then it could be, I don't know, they're not going to overspend at the position, right? Whatever that means. And I'm not sure what that means this yet, but they're not going to overspend there. So let's say they get A tight end and who's, who can play a little bit now throughout some names in a couple days. And then you get to camp and you realize like, oh, maybe not quite what you thought or maybe somebody gets hurt during the season or others didn't develop. That's when you go to Earth because you say, listen, need some help. Can you help? That's what you do. So, but don't worry, they are going to look for more help at the position long before they get to September or October because they know they want another pass catcher. They know they have two tight ends in John Bates and Benson who can block. They think that since it is a better fit in this offense, but they still want another

12:15guy who can kind of help move the chains and throw down. That's the guy, that's what Earth can provide, but that's the guy they need to get. And there are some names and I'll throw out some names in a couple of days. So there you go. Bobby Wagner, this is another big one. So listen, and dude, I have a lot to offer. Like he was an impactful player in the locker room and then, you know, in the meeting rooms and just being a leader here and the first year here, they're a really good job. Second year, like we know that there were some struggles for sure and I think, you know, there are other, there are definitely people around the league who say like, hey, they thought he was done as of every down linebacker one guy told me five years ago. So, you know, but I think then it depends on the system that you're running. So some systems aren't going to require as much speed at linebacker as others, right? So or inside linebacker. So some, some systems might, you might, it might be more funneled to the outside linebackers. So the inside linebacker has to be kind of a box guy who can tackle.

13:16That's Bobby Wagner. But in this defense with Durante Jones, go watch the Mike Zimmer defenses, like watch what they do with the linebackers a lot of, and that because this Durante Jones was, he kind of considers Mike Zimmer the father of the defense of what Brian Flores even plays. Like the influencer is Zimmer and so like you watch at defense, those linebackers do a lot. Mugging the A gaps, dropping out into coverage. And so you've got to have some speed and quickness. That's what they want on front. They have been very clear about one to add youth and athleticism up front in the front seven. So, you know, does Wagner, can Wagner still play a little bit? Sure. But I think, I think if he came back, it would be under the guise of like your role is different. It's no longer a full time role because they just need more from the position and that's why they're, they would look at a guy like a sunny styles from Ohio State or their other free agents who are available who might be interesting because they have ties to Durante Jones or they are fast guys like Quay Walker, right? So like there's other guy, Devin Lloyd, like there's other guys available if you want to

14:17invest at that position. So I think if Wagner came back, if he came back, it would be in a role where it's like it's just different. You're not a full time guy anymore. Can you accept that role? That's always a thing for a guy of his stature. Dude's a Hall of Famer, he's, he's been a terrific guy in the league and like I love talking to him because you learn a lot from him. Again, I always talk about you see him front and center in the meeting rooms sitting next to Jane Danes. I think there's been a great influence on James and on other players as well about how you work, how you handle your business and how you go about things if you want to achieve in this league. So, but I still think like I said, the only way I think I could see him coming back is if the role is different than what it has been the last two years. You know, they know they need more speed in that front zone and this defense, that speed is paramount. So I think you can start to look at that and say like when it really makes sense. Marcus Mariotta and it's exact same as last year.

15:18Can he find somewhere else where he can keep people starting job? If not, I would expect him back here. So he's been a good backup for them. It makes a lot of sense to bring him back, but again, I know he would like a chance to go somewhere to start, does that chance exist? He had the same belief or the same thought last year going in frequency, it did not occur. And he had more time this year, unfortunately for him, there were good moments or tough moments. He didn't have a lot of weapons to throw to, but did he show enough, he's like, okay, did he show enough he could be like the darn olds of the world, like either resurrected guy, right? Could he be that guy? So I don't know that I get that sense. So there's a good chance that I think that he would be back in Washington provided he doesn't get that opportunity. So let's take a couple of other guys, Austin Eccler, don't see that. They want to get younger faster, coming off at a Kelly's injury, doesn't make sense. We know they need more work, help at the position. There are other interesting running backs out there that I think could be good in frequency. Again, I'll get to those in a couple days, but there are options out there that exist

16:22for them. They only have one guy under contract, so they need guys. And that's obviously Crosky Marys, only guy under contract, Chris Rodriguez is a restrictive for agent. So it makes sense that he comes back, but Eccler, don't see it, a guy that I could see maybe coming back and the rotation is dethrased wise, it's defensive end. You can get him on a cheap one-year deal. They liked his leadership. Just part of the rotation, it will trust me folks, it will not end their quest for defensive end. They are going to be aggressive going after defensive ends. So I don't see that ending any sort of quest. Last year was a guy you needed to get in there, but if they bring him back, I think it's like, okay, you're going to, you have drawing some time back, you'd have dethrased wise back, and then you're going to pursue guys in frequency or draft and or both. So it's not going to end any pursuit of anything. So deep breath there, and there's other, there's other point out, they're going to give out one-year deals, because every team does, like maybe not as many as last year or the year before, but they still have to, because you can't, you're not going to

17:23assign guys to, you're not going to assign every player to a multi-year deal. Not every player is going to be 25, 26, 27. You do want some older guys, and if you bring in some guys, like, let's say you have a rookie defensive end, well, you'd want some of those veterans around him, like, dorms and dethrased wise, wise is really good in that role. So that's where you add some value to it, but he's not going to be a guy like, you can't go in there saying, okay, here you go, go, right, I don't see that, but, so you do need those guys. I'm going to, and I think one thing I would say about Washington Fringe, and again, this may be the supplies on the road, but speaking of dethrased wise is one-year deals, they haven't been saddled with bad conscience, there's not, they're, they don't have these deals where you say, like, oh my God, how are you going to get out of that one, right? Like, they don't have that. Even Javon Kenlaw, I've got a deal, if he's coming off this year, like, it's a quality, it's the right deal for him. He only, his cap number was less than 6 million last year, it's going to be right around 17 million this year, which is about what you would expect to pay for a guy of his caliber.

18:24That's, that's just suggest starting, you know, solid NFL starting defensive tackle, right? Like, John Allen, I think, told you, was like a 21 million, something like that. So, like, but the point is, they're not saddled with bad contracts, and even if, if Kenlaw had bombed, you're out of it after this year. So, like, they're, they're an okay spot because it's, so they've been pretty good with the deals they've given out. But they're not the players of work, the contracts, I think, have been, have been of the right level, right? So, there's that, um, trade berks, I could see berks coming back, but not as a guy, like, again, they're going to pursue receivers, whether free agency and the draft, and or the draft, maybe both. Um, so, berk came back, like, you're looking at a guy like, can you compete for one of those back-end spots? Like, that's how I would see him. Now, I felt like he did a nice job for them when he came, but he's not going to, he's not running out by guys. He makes some tough contested catches. I think one thing to watch for in this offense, especially is who can block? Who are guys who can block?

19:25Like, those are guys that you don't want to get in a field because that's part of the run game, right? Like, you look at those nine-age receivers over the years, they get guys who can block. So, that's something to watch for. But I think berks, I could see coming back on, like, a one-year deal, same thing with the Drake Jackson, guys who were higher picks before, who you got a little bit of a look at, more berks than Jackson, but I could see them bringing those guys in to compete for spots. And so, but you're not going to, like, if you have, if trade berks is your fifth or sixth guy, you're in really good shape. And I think that's where you, that's the, like, let's say they go out and get, you get a receiver. So, now you have Terry, receiver acts, and then you have, like, you know, maybe you get two receivers, right? Maybe it's an IU, and you get, and another receiver. So, now you have three guys, then McCaffrey and Lane, like, they like both players, both players are going to have roles here next year. And then that's where the berks would be, do you keep a sixth guy? And if you have him as your sixth guy, you are automatically better than what you were a year ago. So, that's where you have them, but I could see him coming back in that role.

20:28I'm again, Drake Jackson, Beatrice, I went over, I'm Jacob Martin as another guy that I would bring back. I think, you know, it's funny because when they signed him, it was supposed to be, he involved Miller, situational pass rushers. And I don't see, like, I don't see Vaughn either, right? So, because, like, and if you wanted him, you can get him in August just like you did last year. But I don't see that at this point. But with Jacob, with they felt like they were getting guy who was still ascending despite being a little bit, you know, in that 30 range, and I think, to be honest, I think he kind of played, he gave them exactly what you expected, right, and made, because he wasn't supposed to be a full-time guy. That's not his role, but in his, in that role, he was still fine, right? So if you get him in a backup role as an edge guy, or as a pass rusher, whatever, I think you're okay. So I could see him coming back in that role. But, you know, there's, there's a bunch of, obviously, they have other fridges. I'm not going to go over all of them. You know, I would bring back Jeremy McNichols just to compete for it because I love the attitude that he brings and the way he plays, and I think they do too, but you still got to get

21:29better there. You still need more, but McNichols is a guy like in one year deal, you know, he's a good team guy, and he does, he can help you in different roles. We just want to get better overall at the position for sure. So again, younger, faster is the key here. So that's where everything goes. Not everybody's going to be a younger guy, but that's still the overall theme from everything I've heard for several weeks from the commanders for sure. So anyway, folks, that's all I got. I appreciate you turning it in. Like I said, I'll be back Tuesday nights last Wednesday morning with another episode, and then we'll keep getting ready for fridges, which begins next week, and so I think it's going to be interesting. See you next time.