Ben Standig

The Broncos requested to interview Commanders pass game coordinator/AHC Brian Johnson for their offensive coordinator job, a source confirmed (1st by @Schultz_Report).

From my story yesterday on Last Man Standig:

open.substack.com/pub/lastmans...

The Commanders’ staff build isn’t finished New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones is in place, but assistant roles, outside interest and league-wide movement remain in play.

The Commanders have coordinators, but the 2026 staff isn't set. What I'm hearing about potential comings and goings.
open.substack.com/pub/lastmans...

Commanders defensive pass-game coordinator Jason Simmons is interviewing with the Steelers for their defensive coordinator role, source confirms (@JFowlerESPN 1st)

Simmons was a secondary coach on Mike McCarthy's Green Bay staff. He also played his first four NFL seasons with Pittsburgh.

The Daron Payne dilemma: How cap relief, production and a thin defensive front shape the Commanders’ decision Inside Washington's plan, which currently leans toward keeping the 2018 first-round pick for a ninth season.

Daron Payne on the possibility his time with the Commanders was ending:

“I mean, I’m a hell of a football player. I’m sure I’ll have a job next year somewhere.”

Details on why that somewhere, despite viable cap cut rationale, is likely staying put.

open.substack.com/pub/lastmans...

The Daron Payne dilemma: How cap relief, production and a thin defensive front shape the Commanders’ decision Inside Washington's plan, which currently leans toward keeping the 2018 first-round pick for a ninth season.

The cap math makes Daron Payne vulnerable for the 2026 season. The roster reality keeps him with the Commanders — for now.

Inside Washington’s thinking on a costly but complicated decision.

open.substack.com/pub/lastmans...

Mock Draft Monday -- Senior Bowl preview Podcast Episode · Last Man Standig · 01/26/2026 · 42m

Senior Bowl preview, defensive coordinator activity and a notable scouting department departure.

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...

Last Man Standig Football Podcast · Updated Biweekly · Ben Standig of The Athletic brings his unique insight and reporting covering the Washington Commanders, Washington Wizards and other DC Sports teams. He also shar...

🎙 New episode:

🏈 Mike McDaniel took an OC job. Why didn’t the Commanders wait for him?
🏈 DC search update (before Al Harris interview news)
🏈 1-on-1 with Josh Conerly Jr. - Assessing his rookie season, when the instincts kicked in.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...

Greatest coaching job I've ever seen. Take all the bows, Curt Cignetti.

Ben Standig in Last Man Standig The Commanders stay in house for new OL coach Washington is promoting assistant OL coach Darnell Stapleton to the OL coach position and offensive quality control coach Shane Toub to assistant OL coach...

The Commanders promoted assistant OL coach Darnell Stapleton to the OL coach position and Shane Toub to assistant OL coach, per source.

Details:

open.substack.com/chat/posts/c...

🚨 I know everyone is anticipating tonight's big event. Yes, I am hosting on @1067theFan from 730-10. Nothing else going on so I expect full phone lines and radios on. 😉

Commanders talk. NFL playoffs/coach searches w/@jeffzrebiec. Postgame Caps w/ @sammisilber. Gonna be epic.

The Commanders moved fast on David Blough. Now comes the waiting game Inside Washington's coaching staff build as defensive coordinator candidates trickle through Ashburn.

The Commanders are hiring Falcons QB coach D.J. Williams, the son of Doug Williams, for their open QB coach role, source confirms.

Wrote about this possibility earlier in the week.

lastmanstandig.substack.com/p/the-comman...

Jay Gruden talks Commanders OC swap; DC search traffic Podcast Episode · Last Man Standig · 01/14/2026 · 54m

🎙️Guest: @Coach_JayGruden

🏈Insight into a young OC from the man who hired 28-year-old Sean McVay for that job
🏈The Kliff debate
🏈Filling out the staff
🏈NFL playoffs

Also, how traffic from 9 head coach openings is slowing down Washington's DC search

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/j...

The #Commanders interviewed former Washington WR coach Drew Terrell for their OC opening, source confirms. @RapSheet 1st.

Terrwll is the Cardinals passing game coordinator/WRs coach.

Mike McDaniel and David Blough headline Commanders' offensive coordinator search Whether Dan Quinn seeks an experienced play-caller or a familiar face for Jayden Daniels, Washington's head coach has options.

Whether Dan Quinn seeks an experienced play-caller or a familiar face for Jayden Daniels, Washington's head coach has fascinating OC options.

On Mike McDaniel, David Blough and the Commanders' OC debate.
lastmanstandig.substack.com/p/mike-mcdan...

No idea what you mean.

Cleveland's Leading Local News: Weather, Traffic, Sports and more | Cleveland, Ohio | wkyc.com The latest news, sports, weather and traffic from WKYC 3 Studios for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

Statement from a Commanders spokesperson on Marshon Lattimore's arrest:

“We have been made aware of the arrest and are gathering more information. We have informed the NFL League Office and have no further comment at this time.”

Arrest details on weapons charges. share.google/e36C8koTqnzB...

Last Man Standig Football Podcast · Updated Biweekly · Ben Standig of The Athletic brings his unique insight and reporting covering the Washington Commanders, Washington Wizards and other DC Sports teams. He also shar...

🎙 The latest on the #Commanders coordinator searches + 49ers insider @mattbarrows with insight into the latest iteration of the Shanahan offense, what happened with Brandon Aiyuk in SF and NFC playoffs.

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Last Man Standig | Ben Standig | Substack Longtime Washington Commanders insider and D.C. sports reporter still grinding and thriving on the football beat. DMV native. Been known to mock a draft. Click to read Last Man Standig, by Ben Standig...

ALERT: Will go live at 6 p.m. ET with @MarkBullockNFL to discuss the coordinator changes, best fit for Jayden Daniels moving forward and other Commanders *buzz.* Join us.
lastmanstandig.substack.com

On the beach for 'Survivor 50': An exclusive, all-access first look at the biggest season ever EW joins 'Survivor 50' players, producers, and Jeff Probst in Fiji to get the inside scoop on the biggest season ever of the most influential reality-competition show in TV history.

HERE IT IS!

Your first all-access super deep dive into #Survivor50, including interviews in Fiji with the cast and the first exclusive game and gallery photos. Spent a LOT of time on this one. Hope you all enjoy! #Survivor ew.com/survivor-50-...

Commanders' defensive coordinator search: Will Dan Quinn go outside his coaching tree? Washington's defensive collapse helped crater the season. DC Joe Whitt Jr. took the hit. Now the focus shifts to potential replacements and whether their scheme meshes with Quinn's historic plans.

The Commanders need a new defensive coordinator. Based on conversations with numerous league sources in recent weeks, here are some names to consider for Washington.

open.substack.com/pub/lastmans...

What they said, what I heard: Adam Peters, Dan Quinn on the Commanders' lost 2025 season Washington's GM and head coach took questions from media members on what went wrong this season and upcoming fixes. In light of specifics within their responses, LMS played the role of interpreter.

Washington GM Adam Peters and HC Dan Quinn took questions from media members on what went wrong this season and what upcoming fixes are. In light of the specifics within their responses, I played the role of interpreter.

What they said, what I heard:

open.substack.com/pub/lastmans...

Commanders head into the offseason Podcast Episode · Last Man Standig · 01/05/2026 · 30m

🎙Talking about the Commanders closing out the 2025 season/moving into the offseason a 1/4 mile at a time. You'll see.

Beat Philly. Draft order lament. Kingsbury's status. Bobby Wagner's mikestone. Prepping for Monday's Peters-Quinn press conference.

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...

After a lost season, the Commanders face an uncomfortable audit Washington's frustrating 2025 season ended Sunday with a road win against the Eagles. Now the focus shifts to Adam Peters and Dan Quinn, starting with Monday's end-of-season press conference.

The offseason is here
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Twelve months ago, Kliff Kingsbury’s tempo gave Washington a clear identity.

Now the organization is weighing whether that identity still fits.

That’s a meaningful change — and a telling one.

What I'm hearing and thinking about the Commanders' OC role.

open.substack.com/pub/lastmans...

Twelve months ago, Kliff Kingsbury’s tempo gave Washington a clear identity.

Now the organization is weighing whether that identity still fits.

That’s a meaningful change — and a telling one.

What I'm hearing and thinking about the Commanders' OC role.

open.substack.com/pub/lastmans...

As expected, Mariota and Laremy Tunsil are officially out for Sunday, and Josh Johnson will start at Philly.

Last Man Standig | Ben Standig | Substack Longtime Washington Commanders insider and D.C. sports reporter still grinding and thriving on the football beat. DMV native. Been known to mock a draft. Click to read Last Man Standig, by Ben Standig...

Miami DE Rueben Bain -- "Bain is tough as hell. Rugged, great instincts, and plays with power. Short arms, tweener body — but he wins.”

OSU S Caleb Downs -- “Ignoring position, Downs is my No. 1 player. But nobody drafts a safety 1.1. Four is high for some teams — I’ll take the talent."

Last Man Standig | Ben Standig | Substack Longtime Washington Commanders insider and D.C. sports reporter still grinding and thriving on the football beat. DMV native. Been known to mock a draft. Click to read Last Man Standig, by Ben Standig...

OSU LB Arvell Reese -- “Taking a linebacker No. 1 is not great. He'd better be a three-down guy who can rush. Reese can do it all. Freak show. People are going to start comparing him to Micah [Parsons].”

Last Man Standig | Ben Standig | Substack Longtime Washington Commanders insider and D.C. sports reporter still grinding and thriving on the football beat. DMV native. Been known to mock a draft. Click to read Last Man Standig, by Ben Standig...

Miami-Ohio State about to kickoff. 3 potential top 10 picks in this game. An NFL college scouting director shared his insights earlier this year:

Dan Quinn on Quan Martin's declining snaps (season-low 30% last game):

"There was a busted assignment that eliminated some of his reps."

Said he still has confidence in the third-year safety.