NFL Offseason Check-In: After Warren Sapp Tribute, Rueben Bain Seeks to Forge Own Path

TAMPA, Fla. — The parallel was already easy to make for Rueben Bain Jr. A consensus All-American who wreaked havoc at the front of a University of Miami defense but fell unexpectedly and landed in the middle of the first round with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? That was Bain two weeks ago, when the Buccaneers were thrilled to get him at No. 15, but it also happened 31 years ago. So, when Bain arrived at Bucs rookie minicamp on Thursday wearing a black retro Warren Sapp No. 99 jersey, it was a nostalgic nod to a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but also a reminder of how confident he is, and how excited his new team is about the potential they see in him. "He's got an old soul, so to speak," coach Todd Bowles said at the podium after Bain's first practice Friday afternoon. "He understands his lineage. He understands the guys who came before him. They've got a lot of great players down at the University of Miami ... he understands how to pay homage to the guys that came before him down there and he's tried to pattern his game like that. He's a very smart player, not just a tough player. He understands what he's walking into and what he wants to be." And as Bain was fitted with his first NFL helmet, he made a video call to Sapp, who he knew from his Hurricane days, showing a real connection between one of the best players in Bucs history and the franchise's future. "It was a full-circle moment," Bain said at the podium on Friday, sharing he had traded texts with Sapp when he got drafted as the older 'Cane reminded him that Tampa was "his city." But Bain didn't go out and buy a Sapp throwback. This was an old jersey, older than Bain himself, as one of his friends in Miami sent him a pic of the Sapp jersey "in the back of his closet." There was already a no-nonsense vibe to Bain from draft night, when after waiting longer than most anyone expected him to hear his name called, he walked past an NFL selfie mirror set up for draft picks, grabbing the Bucs hat set out for him without even breaking stride. On Friday, given the chance to step on an NFL practice field for the first time, wearing his own new No. 3 jersey, Bain relented and allowed himself to smile and enjoy the excitement of a new chapter in his football career. "I've been on Cloud Nine ever since I walked in," said Bain, who had 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in helping Miami to the national championship game last season. "Just enjoying the process, enjoying where I'm at. I'm happy. I'm where I'm supposed to be. I'm with my friends and my team, I'm home. I can't complain about anything." The Bucs were elated to have Bain fall to them at 15, as edge rusher has been a major need for them and a catalyst in Bowles' attacking defense. Tampa Bay also hadn't drafted a player from Miami in Jason Licht's first 12 years as general manager, but he took two, in Bain and nickel defensive back Keionte Scott in the fourth round, hoping to import the toughness and aura from their college success. "I love that he's very unique, where he's got a great blend of power and athleticism," Licht said on draft night. "He can bend, he's got get-off, he's very powerful, he's got very explosive not just athleticism, but powerful hands, powerful strength and he plays very edgy. He plays with a chip on his shoulder." Bain was viewed as one of the top edge rushers in the 2026 draft in the lead-up to the event, with several mock drafts projecting him to be a top-10 pick. Our draft analyst, Rob Rang, had him at No. 7 on his big board, placing third among edge rushers. Rang gave the Buccaneers an A-minus grade for the pick, and Tampa a B grade for its overall draft haul due to the selection. However, Bain faced criticism about his arms being shorter than most pass rushers at 30 and 7/8 inches — "Mike Tyson had short arms, too," Licht said the night he drafted him — but the Bucs trusted the dominance they saw on tape in his three seasons at Miami, totaling 20.5 sacks, one more than Sapp finished with as a defensive tackle for the Hurricanes. They don't need him to be Sapp, who helped Tampa Bay to its first Super Bowl in the 2002 season during a run of seven straight Pro Bowl nods. But Bain has an excitement of his own — a much-needed positivity for a team that lost seven of its last nine games last season to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Two franchise icons are gone in linebacker Lavonte David, who retired, and receiver Mike Evans, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency, so the Buccaneers needed a new face and source of optimism. This week is the first step for Bain, getting to know his fellow rookies before he soon begins work with the full team, trying to earn their respect and trust entering a season where the Bucs are still the odds-on favorite to win the NFC South. Bain made headlines with someone else's jersey, but it might not be long before fans are wearing his No. 3 in the stands. "It was a sense of pride," Bain said of his decision to pay tribute to Sapp. "I feel like it speaks on the brotherhood we have at the University of Miami, and it speaks on the amount of pride I've got where I'm at right now."

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2026 NFL Schedule Release: When Will Regular-Season Schedule Be Unveiled?

The NFL will release its complete regular-season schedule on Thursday. The announcement made Friday is in line with the past couple of years, when the schedule has been released during the second week of May. The league has already announced that the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will meet in Melbourne, Australia, in Week 1. The game will be aired in prime time in the United States at 8:35 p.m. ET/5:35 p.m. PT on Sept. 10. Melbourne is 14 hours ahead of New York and 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles and San Francisco, meaning the game will kick off at 10:35 a.m. the next day in Australia. The game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro will take place in Week 3 (Sept. 27). The other seven international matchups will be announced on Wednesday at 9 a.m. ET on "Good Morning Football" on NFL Network. Dates for other key games are expected to filter out during the week. Typically, networks announce one of their showcase games during so-called up-fronts to advertisers. The Seattle Seahawks will begin defense of their Super Bowl title in the kickoff game on Sept. 9. The opponent has not been announced. The NFL could opt for an immediate Super Bowl LX rematch since the New England Patriots are scheduled to visit the Seattle Seahawks. Last season, the Super Bowl LIX rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs took place in Week 2. Other likely possibilities include the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys or Los Angeles Chargers. Reporting by The Associated Press.

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The 5 NFL Teams That Improved the Most This Offseason Following NFL Draft

Now that the NFL Draft is behind us, the bulk of the 2026 NFL offseason is in the books — and it was really one to remember. There were 10 new head coaches hired, the most since 2022. The Arizona Cardinals decided they no longer wanted Kyler Murray, but the Minnesota Vikings deemed him good enough to sign him and allow him to compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting quarterback job. The Las Vegas Raiders, meanwhile, will seemingly start veteran Kirk Cousins after taking Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Los Angeles Rams might have had the biggest swings this offseason. They traded for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie in a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, giving up a first-round draft pick in that deal before using another first-round pick to surprisingly take quarterback Ty Simpson. But the biggest news this offseason surrounded a blockbuster trade that didn't happen. The Baltimore Ravens landed star edge rusher Maxx Crosby for a few days before pulling out of the deal due to his medicals. As Crosby remains with the Raiders, the Ravens opted to sign star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson instead. So, now that the dust has largely settled this offseason, let's take a look at the five teams that have improved the most this spring as we inch closer to the start of training camp in July. Notable additions: Robert Saleh (hired as head coach), Brian Daboll (hired as offensive coordinator), wide receiver Carnell Tate (selected with fourth overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft), edge rusher Keldric Faulk (31st overall pick), wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (signed a four-year, $78 million contract), defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (signed a three-year, $63 million deal) Let’s start with coaching changes. The Tennessee Titans hired a defensive-minded head coach with a strong, charismatic personality in Robert Saleh, who brought in an experienced staff led by former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll as the team’s offensive coordinator and former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley as the team’s defensive coordinator. Along with an experienced coaching staff, Saleh’s focus has been surrounding last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward with upgrades at receiver in first-round pick Carnell Tate and free agent signee Wan’Dale Robinson. However, the offensive line remains a question mark. The Titans took late-round flyers on two interior offensive linemen in Fernando Carmona and Pat Coogan. How Daboll changes things schematically, along with how offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo brings that group together, will go a long way to Ward’s improvement. Saleh will make the defense better, an experienced coaching staff will limit mistakes and help Tennessee double its win total from three games in 2025. Notable additions: Linebacker Sonny Styles (selected with the seventh overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft), edge rusher Odafe Oweh (signed a four-year, $100 million deal), linebacker Leo Chenal (signed a three-year, $24.75 million deal), edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson (signed a one-year, $12 million deal), tight end Chig Okonkwo (signed a three-year, $30 million deal), running back Rachaad White (signed a one-year, $2 million deal) Head coach Dan Quinn isn’t using injuries as an excuse for last year’s disappointing 5-12 finish after reaching the NFC Championship Game two years ago. Instead, the Washington Commanders made wholesale changes on offense and defense, moving on from experienced offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in favor of quarterbacks coach David Blough, who will put Jayden Daniels under center more in the upcoming season. The defensive-minded Quinn also moved on from defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., replacing him with Minnesota Vikings defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones. Expect an emphasis on improved pass rush defensively, led by athletic first-round pick Sonny Styles. The team also made a splash in free agency, adding Odafe Oweh after he recorded 7.5 sacks in 12 games with the Los Angeles Chargers last season. And on offense, general manager Adam Peters hopes the additions of running back Rachaad White, running back Jerome Ford and wide receiver Dyami Brown in free agency will lead to more explosive plays. Peters also drafted enticing Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams in the third round and Penn State running back Kaytron Allen in the sixth round to help achieve that goal. The Commanders should improve this upcoming season and be back in the race for the NFC East division title. Notable additions: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (acquired in trade with New York Giants), edge rusher Boye Mafe (signed a three-year, $60 million deal), defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (signed a two-year, $$25 million deal), safety Bryan Cook (signed a three-year, $40.25 million deal), edge rusher Cashius Howell (selected with 41st overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft) If Joe Burrow can stay healthy, the Cincinnati Bengals have upgraded enough defensively to compete for the top spot in the AFC North. The big move was trading for dominant defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence in a deal with the New York Giants, sacrificing the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But they also signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook in free agency, helping to fill the void left by edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals had one of the worst defenses in the league last season, but have an infusion of talent that includes the addition of defensive linemen Cashius Howell and Landon Robinson through the draft. The Bengals allowed 29 points per game last season. If they can drop that number to the low-20s, Cincinnati will win more games because of an explosive offense. And the Bengals still have insurance behind Burrow in an accomplished veteran quarterback in Joe Flacco. Notable additions: Running back Travis Etienne (signed a four-year, $52 million deal), wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (selected with eighth overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft), guard David Edwards (signed a four-year, $61 million deal), linebacker Kaden Elliss (signed a three-year, $33 million deal), tight end Noah Fant (signed a two-year, $8.75 million deal) The New Orleans Saints appeared to have gotten the quarterback right, with last year’s second-round pick Tyler Shough showing he can be the long-term answer with the way he played in the second half of 2025. New Orleans added an elite playmaker with receiver Jordyn Tyson in the first round. Now the Arizona State product must prove he can stay healthy, dealing with a hamstring injury this past college football season. Third-round pick Oscar Delp is an athletic mover who gives head coach Kellen Moore the ability to use more heavy formations with more tight ends. North Dakota State product Bryce Lance, the younger brother of quarterback Trey Lance, was considered by some scouts I spoke with as one of the most underrated prospects in this year’s draft, with New Orleans adding the wide receiver in the fourth round of the draft. The Saints also signed running back Travis Etienne, guard David Edwards and tight end Noah Fant in free agency. Defensively, Georgia defensive tackle Christian Miller and Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles should help upgrade the defense. New Orleans also signed Atlanta Falcons free agent linebacker Kaden Elliss to replace departed veteran inside linebacker Demario Davis. Those moves could put the Saints in a position to compete in the winnable NFC South. Notable additions: Running back Kenneth Walker III (signed a three-year, $45 million deal), cornerback Mansoor Delane (selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft), defensive tackle Peter Woods (selected with the 29th overall pick), safety Alohi Gilman (signed a three-year, $24.75 million deal), edge rusher R Mason Thomas (selected with the 40th overall pick) With the loss of cornerback Trent McDuffie in a trade and fellow corner Jaylen Watson to the Los Angeles Rams in free agency, the Kansas City Chiefs focused on replacing those playmakers by taking four defensive players with their first four picks in the draft, including cornerbacks Mansoor Delane and Jadon Canady, defensive tackle Peter Woods and edge rusher R Mason Thomas. The Chiefs also signed veteran safety Alohi Gilman and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga in free agency, revamping their defensive unit from front to back. Offensively, the centerpiece of this offseason was securing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency from the Seattle Seahawks. Walker’s arrival should take pressure off Patrick Mahomes to carry the offense, as he returns from season-ending ACL knee surgery. Mahomes is expected to be ready for Week 1, as general manager Brett Veach recently said his star quarterback is ahead of schedule. Add in the return of Travis Kelce, and the Chiefs should rebound from a 6-11 campaign in 2025.

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Jaguars HC Liam Coen: 'The Plan Has Not Changed' for Travis Hunter’s Two-Way Role

Travis Hunter remains one of the most intriguing second-year players heading into next season, and the Jacksonville Jaguars now appear to have a clearer vision for how they plan to use him. The organization still intends for Hunter to continue as a two-way player. Despite skepticism surrounding that role, general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen reiterated that the plan remains unchanged. "The plan has not changed at all," Coen said in a video produced by the Jaguars. "He’s going to play both sides of the football just as we drafted him to do. We have the same vision for him in terms of being able to give him opportunities." Prior to suffering a season-ending torn LCL, Hunter split time on both sides of the ball, logging roughly 61% of his snaps on offense and 37% on defense as a rookie. Gladstone provided an update on Hunter’s recovery during an appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show" on Wednesday morning, offering insight into his progress as he works back from injury. "He’s in a good spot," Gladstone said. "He’s out on the grass in a limited fashion and that’s the case throughout the remainder of the offseason program. As we get going into training camp, he’ll be full go." Speculation about Hunter potentially shifting to cornerback full-time this offseason has drawn national attention, but Gladstone made the Jaguars’ plans clear when addressing his role. "Absolutely not," Gladstone said. "He is set to play both sides of the ball. The piece I think we can expect is an uptick in corner usage. Last year, he had a higher volume and a higher percentage of snaps at wide receiver than he did at corner." The growing national buzz around Hunter’s breakout potential was also highlighted by our reporter Greg Auman. Auman named Hunter as his top second-year breakout candidate poised to make a leap next season. "Hunter's on course to be fully recovered by the start of training camp, and it should be a simpler second season for him," Auman wrote. "It remains to be seen how much work he'll get on offense — the Jaguars traded for Jakobi Meyers during last season and gave him a lucrative extension, and they've held off on trading third-year receiver Brian Thomas Jr., with Parker Washington enjoying a breakout season last year. Hunter should be an every-down corner, and that side of the ball should be his focus and the best chance for him to shine. Jacksonville let Greg Newsome leave in free agency and didn't draft a corner, setting Hunter up for a central role." Hunter’s increased usage is also tied to the departures of Greg Newsome II and Tyson Campbell in free agency. As currently constructed, the cornerback room is set to feature Hunter, Jarrian Jones, Montaric Brown, and Jourdan Lewis. "Our roster construction is different than it was a year ago," Gladstone said. "It’s more fitting to slot him in at corner in a different way than it was this time last year or even as the season progressed." For now, the Jaguars remain committed to that vision as they manage Hunter’s recovery and refine how his workload will be balanced on both sides of the ball. "He wants to play both ways," Gladstone said. "He wants to do exactly what he set out to do when he first started putting that into action all those years ago and that’s his dream. We’ll look to support that in the best way that we can."

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Eating W’s All Summer Long: Jameis Winston Joins FOX Sports for 2026 World Cup

He’s back! But only this time he’s trading the gridiron for the global soccer stage. New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston will return to FOX Sports as a World Cup Correspondent. Winston spent Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans with FOX Sports as a digital correspondent, where he roamed the Big Easy highlighting the culture and excitement around the big game. Now, Winston returns to fuel the hype around the largest World Cup yet, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. While several members of FOX’s World Cup team have won various soccer titles — Zlatan Ibrahimović has multiple league championships, Thierry Henry has a World Cup win and Golden Boot honors — how many have a Heisman Trophy and a college football national championship win? In college, Winston led Florida State to an undefeated 14-0 season and a national championship as a redshirt freshman in 2013. That same year, Winston lifted the Seminoles' third Heisman Trophy. Drafted No. 1 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015, Winston played five seasons there before he signed with the New Orleans Saints. After four years in New Orleans, Winston signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2024, then headed to the Big Apple to sign with the Giants. Winston joins a star-studded broadcast team for the tournament that includes Ibrahimović, Henry, former Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, Mexico's all-time leading scorer Javier Hernández and many more on the pitch and in the studio. 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch From June 11 through July 19, 2026, FOX Sports presents its largest World Cup production and broadcast slate to date featuring all 104 matches live across FOX (69) and FS1 (35) with every match live-streaming on FOX One and the FOX Sports App. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).

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Ranking the 10 Best NFL Offenses Entering Offseason Workouts

There’s still a long way to go before we see real football again. But with the NFL Draft in the books and the majority of the top-tier free agents signed, teams know what the core of their squads will look like in 2026. Offensively, which teams are poised to be the most dynamic in the upcoming season? And how could they compare against one another? Here’s my projection for the top 10 offenses in 2026, in descending order (for the top 10 defenses, click here): Key additions: RB Isiah Pacheco (FA), OT Blake Miller (draft), C Cade Mays (FA), OL Larry Borom (FA), OL Juice Scruggs (trade)Key losses: RB David Montgomery (trade), WR Kalif Raymond (FA) The Lions still have one of the most talented offenses in football, but it could take a while for them to hit their stride in 2026. Isiah Pacheco’s addition as RB2 marks a significant downgrade from David Montgomery, who was traded to the Texans. Detroit has also shuffled pieces upfront to improve an offensive line that struggled last season. There’s a strong likelihood that the team will be flipping All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell to the left side. Key additions: RB Kenneth Walker III (FA), QB Justin Fields (trade)Key losses: QB Gardner Minshew (FA), WR Hollywood Brown (FA), RT Jawaan Taylor (release), RB Isiah Pacheco (FA) If QB Patrick Mahomes is healthy after December surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, there’s a good chance the Chiefs’ offense returns to playing at a high level. Kenneth Walker III signed a three-year, $43.05 million deal with Kansas City after winning Super Bowl MVP with the Seahawks. He's the most dynamic running back that the Chiefs have had in the Mahomes era, and his presence should open the pass game. Veteran receiver Hollywood Brown departed in free agency, but WR1 Rashee Rice won’t be facing a suspension to start this season, like last year. Kansas City also welcomes back offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who was the team's OC from 2018 through 2022. Key additions: WR Romeo Doubs (FA), G Alijah Vera-Tucker (FA), TE Julian Hill (FA), OT Caleb Lomu (draft), TE Eli Raridon (draft)Key losses: WR Stefon Diggs (release), C Garrett Bradbury (trade), TE Austin Hooper (FA) Before struggling in last season’s playoffs, the Patriots’ offense was dominant. And that should continue in 2026. New England traded center Garrett Bradbury, but the offensive line could be much improved with the addition of Alijah-Vera Tucker in free agency and first-round rookie Caleb Lomu, who could play either right or left tackle. Romeo Doubs is a younger, higher-upside wide receiver than Stefon Diggs. And there’s still a strong chance that the Patriots land star receiver A.J. Brown via trade. Key additions: G John Simpson (FA), G Olaivavega Ioane (draft), WR Ja’Kobi Lane (draft), WR Elijah Sarratt (draft)Key losses: C Tyler Linderbaum (FA), TE Isaiah Likely (FA), FB Patrick Ricard (FA), RB Keaton Mitchell (FA), TE Charlie Kolar (FA) With a healthy Lamar Jackson, the sky is the limit for the Ravens’ offense. There have been some significant changes in Baltimore — playcaller Todd Monken is gone, as well as several key contributors — but the run game could see a boost with the additions of first-round pick Olaivavega Ioane and veteran John Simpson at guard. The Ravens also grabbed much needed wide receiver depth behind Zay Flowers in mid-round picks Ja’Kobi Lane (third round) and Elijah Sarratt (fourth round). Key additions: C Garrett Bradbury (trade), WR Kalif Raymond (FA), C Logan Jones (draft), TE Sam Roush (draft), WR Zavion Thomas (draft)Key losses: WR DJ Moore (trade), WR Olamide Zaccheus (FA) Even with DJ Moore out of the picture, the arrow on the Bears’ offense is pointed up. Quarterback Caleb Williams is poised to make a massive leap in Year 3 after dazzling in clutch moments in 2025. Second-year tight end Colston Loveland and wideout Luther Burden are ascending, as is third-year receiver Rome Odunze. After losing Pro Bowler Drew Dalman to an early retirement, Chicago has both its center of the present (Garrett Bradbury) and future (Logan Jones) on the roster. Key addition: WR DJ Moore (trade)Key losses: G David Edwards, QB Mitch Trubisky (FA), OT Ryan Van Demark (FA) With Moore in the fold, Josh Allen has a legitimate No. 1 receiver for the first time since Stefon Diggs’ time in Buffalo. It raises the ceiling of a Bills offense that ranked fourth in scoring last season. Key addition: RB Jadarian Price (draft)Key loss: RB Kenneth Walker III (FA) The Seahawks have their entire offense returning from last year’s Super Bowl-winning team, with one (big) exception: running back Kenneth Walker III, who signed with the Chiefs in free agency. How quickly first-round pick Jadarian Price, who backed up Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame, acclimates to the NFL level will be key to Seattle’s offense. Not only is Price replacing Walker, but also his running mate, Zach Charbonnet, who suffered a torn ACL in the divisional round in January. Key additions: n/aKey losses: TE Noah Fant (FA), G Cordell Volson (FA) The Bengals haven’t made any moves of note on offense — their offseason focus has been on the defense — but with a healthy Joe Burrow under center, Cincinnati still has one of the most feared units in football. The Bengals, who ranked 12th in scoring last season with Burrow missing nine games due to turf toe, return their entire starting offense from 2025. Key additions: n/aKey loss: WR Jalen Tolbert (FA) The Cowboys return 10 starters from an offense that ranked second in yards and seventh in points in 2025. Franchise-tagged star receiver George Pickens will be in his second year in the offense, which could make him even more difficult to account for as CeeDee Lamb’s running mate. And with a more competent defense on paper, Dallas’ offense could see more possessions per game in 2026. Key additions: QB Ty Simpson (draft), TE Max Klare (draft), OT Keagan Trost (draft) Key losses: n/a The NFL’s best offense in 2025 returns all 11 starters. While No. 13 overall pick Ty Simpson is viewed as the Rams’ quarterback of the future, tight end Max Klare (second round) and offensive tackle Keagen Trost (third round) provide young depth for a loaded offense in 2026.

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NFL Offseason Check-In: Dan Quinn Didn't Want Commanders to Fall for Easy Narrative

Following a disappointing 5-12 campaign in 2025, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn admitted that it took some time to remove the stench from a season where it felt like nothing could go right for his upstart group. But Quinn's positive outlook has returned as he prepares for his third season as the Commanders' head coach. After a busy offseason full of changes in Washington, Quinn opened up to me on why the Commanders opted not to act complacent despite reaching the NFC Championship Game just a year prior. "The easy narrative is to say, ‘Hey man, the injuries – that’s all it was,’" Quinn told me. "But I want to go deeper than that, making sure what we can do better offensively and defensively, and then how do we develop more as an entire team. "It takes a good, strong offseason to dig into areas that you want to improve on. So, we’re putting in two new systems offensively and defensively, much like we did in 2024. I’m excited about that." Quinn made wholesale changes on offense and defense. That included parting ways with respected offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and promoting quarterbacks coach David Blough to offensive coordinator. The team also hired Minnesota Vikings defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones to be their new defensive coordinator, replacing Joe Whitt Jr. after two seasons. With those hirings come the implementation of new schemes. Quinn said learning new schemes has created a sense of urgency for his players as they embark on offseason work. And at the heart of that new learning will be the evolution of Washington’s offense under the leadership of third-year pro quarterback Jayden Daniels, who finished the 2025 season on injured reserve with a dislocated elbow. Daniels told me back in February at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic that he’s fully healthy, and his offseason work began well before the start of organized team activities (OTAs). A Southern California native, Daniels’ regimen back home has included throwing with teammates Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown and Rachaad White at UCLA. As Quinn is tasked with keeping Daniels healthy, the Commanders' head coach said that Washington's new offense under Blough will include more plays under center and a renewed focus on the play-action game. That'll include heavier formations to better keep the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year out of harm’s way. But that will be a major change from what the Commanders did last season. They ran a league-low 112 snaps under center in 2025, and Daniels completed 22-of-41 (53.7%) passes for 305 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions with a 94.1 passer rating on play-action passes last season, per Next Gen Stats. "When you’re under center, it does add value for the play-action game — some of the deep shots that can go down the field," Quinn told me. "And primarily, some of that is just based on protections with the tight ends and backs being involved for some of the deeper developing routes. "When you can add that to your game, that’s a big deal. So, that was one that we felt was worth going through. How much under center? That will be determined as we get through spring and training camp. But it will definitely be a bigger part of the offense for sure." While Quinn worked to make Daniels' life easier with a new scheme, Commanders general manager Adam Peters is attempting to do that by adding more playmakers to Washington's offense. The Commanders signed versatile running backs Jerome Ford and White in free agency, along with playmaking tight end Chig Okonkwo and receivers Van Jefferson and Brown. Peters also shuffled the Commanders' offensive line this offseason. They released starting center Tyler Biadasz as part of a cap-clearing move in order to sign those aforementioned playmakers. But Nick Allegretti will shift from guard to center, giving Washington some continuity up front. And Washington continued to add to its depth chart of playmakers in the draft. Peters grabbed slot receiver Antonio Williams out of Clemson in the third round and Penn State product Kaytron Allen in the sixth round. Williams ran a 4.41-second, 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine after posting over 1,500 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Clemson. He’s got an athletic build similar to another effective slot receiver Quinn is familiar with from his time with the Seahawks in Seattle Pro Bowler Doug Baldwin. The hope is that Williams can develop into a solid contributor as a complementary receiver opposite McLaurin. "We saw the route running and ability to change direction – to run option routes and break somebody’s leverage," Quinn told me of Williams. "And we also saw the ability for him to play outside as a Z receiver (flanker), where the deeper developing routes can take place. "We just saw the demonstrated pass catching and route running. He had a very accomplished career there, in terms of what it takes to play in the NFL. We’re excited to add him to our crew." Seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt popped in his rookie season, leading in Washington in rushing yards (805) and rushing touchdowns (8). Joining him in the backfield with Ford and White is Allen, who finished his time in college as Penn State’s all-time leading rusher. "He has good size and likes to get downhill," Quinn told me about Allen. "Having another back that has size, can put his foot in the ground and be aggressive, those are the styles of running backs that carry. We’re excited to put him in the mix and let the whole thing kind of develop." The Commanders might not be finished with adding talent around Daniels yet, either. There’s still a chance Washington can add veteran wide receiver Brandon Ayiuk, who was Daniels’ teammate at Arizona State. San Francisco is expected to release him at some point this offseason, and Peters is familiar with Aiyuk from his time working in the 49ers’ front office, being a part of the group that drafted the talented wide receiver in 2020. And if Aiyuk can move past the ugliness that occurred in San Francisco and is healthy, he would provide a boost to Washington, which did not bring back Deebo Samuel in free agency. While the Commanders made several moves on offense this offseason, the splashiest moves they made were on the defensive side of the ball. They signed edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, along with versatile Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal, in free agency, as Quinn told me the goal is for Washington to get back to having the opportunistic defenses he created during his time with the Dallas Cowboys and Seahawks. That means bringing in more speed, pass-rush ability and versatility up front. The centerpiece of that goal and Quinn’s revamped defense was the selection of athletic dynamo linebacker Sony Styles with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-5 and 248 pounds, Styles can take over as the green dot, defensive play caller of Washington’s defense. Peters saw up close the impact a do-it-all inside linebacker can have on a defense in San Francisco in Fred Warner. Quinn had the same experience as defensive coordinator for the Seahawks when Bobby Wagner, who played the last two years as the man in the middle of Washington’s defense, served in that role as a rookie, second-round draft pick for a Seattle defense that went to back-to-back Super Bowls. "What I like about Sonny is he has the traits — the work, the love of it and the discipline to go and do extra," Quinn told me. "That carries from college into pro ball. And he’s hungry. Those are just a few things that he can bring to us. "I have a sense that he’s going to be excellent at a lot of spots, but one of the things he didn’t do a lot of at Ohio State was blitzing. But I think with his speed and his length, I’m excited to develop that part of his game, too." The big investments the Commanders made on defense come after they had a rough performance on that side of the ball in 2025. They ranked last in yards allowed and their 10 takeaways were second from the bottom, with the New York Jets' historically poor season producing fewer takeaways. The Commanders totaled 42 sacks last season, tied for 12th in the league, but their pass rush win rate (36%) was 18th in the league. Quinn believes adding more juice up front will improve those numbers, creating a more dangerous defense that can consistently get the ball back to Daniels and the offense. "We want to put physical pressure, mental pressure and some frustration and doubt into the offense," Quinn told me. "Fear in some ways. And some of the best ways to do that is to deploy people at different spots, different locations. When they make a check, you make one as well. "Knowing there is uncertainty and decision-making that has to take place post-snap, that’s when you can really play good defense. Because if you’re giving some of these QBs too much information too early, they are so elite that the completions are high and they can control the game that way. You want to have enough in your toolbox to disrupt that, frustrate that and not allow that to be that way. It takes some risk to have this disguise or this location with a player, but at the end of it, it’s worth it because you’re not the one getting worked for the information. It’s like, you better figure this out after the snap."

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