Sam Fortier
@sam4tr.bsky.social
đ€ 6767
đ„ 191
đ 76
National sports feature writer
@washingtonpost.com
.
pinned post!
New: How Kawhiâs "Uncle Dennis" helped spark the sports scandal of the year. â¶ïž Steve Ballmer, Jerry West depositions â¶ïž Private texts, Magic voicemails â¶ïž An equity fight involving a Knicks star â¶ïž Kawhi's private airport Investigation w/
@samaha.bsky.social
:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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The rise of âUncle Dennis,â the adviser at the center of an NBA scandal
Kawhi Leonardâs uncle and adviser helped him build his business -- and courted controversy in the process.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/11/17/uncle-dennis-kawhi-leonard-clippers/
20 days ago
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The most famous middle-school QB in America just scored his first NFL TD â 15 years later:
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13 days ago
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Jesse Dougherty
14 days ago
I profiled Azzi Fudd. After all the injuries and doubt, and dealing with that as her life became more and more public, here's a story of getting back to once was â mentally, physically â then becoming even better:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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Azzi Fudd was a canât-miss basketball star. Then she had to prove it again.
Injuries and self-doubt nearly derailed a prodigy. Now in her final college season, she has rediscovered just how good she can be.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/11/23/azzi-fudd-uconn-womens-basketball/
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Jesse Dougherty
18 days ago
Read the story, linked below, from
@sam4tr.bsky.social
,
@jorgeribas.bsky.social
and me. These ads tell a story about 2025 and how universities leverage the precious ad space during college football games.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Jesse Dougherty
18 days ago
You know those university ads? The ones with shots of the leafy quad + students looking into a microscope? A lot of them look different this football season, focusing more on specific research initiatives. And one reason why is the reason for a lot of things in this country. An example:
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College ads, a staple of sports TV, are changing in response to Trump's attacks on higher ed. Unis are replacing rah-rah spots w/ specific stories about how research improves life in their communities. W/
@jessedougherty.bsky.social
&
@jorgeribas.bsky.social
:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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18 days ago
0
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Albert Samaha
20 days ago
Kawhi Leonardâs uncle Dennis Robertson has left a trail of conflict through the NBA.Â
@sam4tr.bsky.social
& I spoke w dozens of ppl & got biz filings, property records, texts, voicemails & court docs, including a Steve Ballmer deposition. Our story in
@postsports.bsky.social
:
wapo.st/4oNuTXM
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The rise of âUncle Dennis,â the adviser at the center of an NBA scandal
Kawhi Leonardâs uncle and adviser helped him build his business -- and courted controversy in the process.
https://wapo.st/4oNuTXM
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New: How Kawhiâs "Uncle Dennis" helped spark the sports scandal of the year. â¶ïž Steve Ballmer, Jerry West depositions â¶ïž Private texts, Magic voicemails â¶ïž An equity fight involving a Knicks star â¶ïž Kawhi's private airport Investigation w/
@samaha.bsky.social
:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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The rise of âUncle Dennis,â the adviser at the center of an NBA scandal
Kawhi Leonardâs uncle and adviser helped him build his business -- and courted controversy in the process.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/11/17/uncle-dennis-kawhi-leonard-clippers/
20 days ago
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That was the worst NFL Sunday in decades. I did the math to prove it:
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about 1 month ago
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One of the best pieces of sports writing of the year. Great work by
@jessedougherty.bsky.social
:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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This basketball prospect is making millions â backed by a sports dad like no other
Want a piece of AJ Dybantsa, basketballâs next big thing? âYou have to go throughâ his dad.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/10/18/aj-dybantsa-basketball-dad-ace/
about 2 months ago
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I wrote about the Holy War. â¶ïž Inflection point for the BYU-Utah rivalry â¶ïž Seismic shifts roiling the state and sport â¶ïž Man arrested for threatening to shoot Utah fans at the game
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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Utah leaders pleading for peace ahead of tensest âHoly Warâ game in years
The rivalry between BYU and Utah has been amped up by an influx of NIL money, public bickering and even a threat of violence.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/10/17/byu-utah-holy-war-rivalry/
about 2 months ago
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I ranked famous sports press conference moments with my boy (and former TA)
@dereklikessports.bsky.social
. đ„ Iâm just here so I wonât get fined đ„ They are who we thought they were! đ„?? Listen here:
open.spotify.com/episode/16G1...
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Spotify â Web Player
https://open.spotify.com/episode/16G19j2bw8Uwa80Bqbgrqk?si=23c15bae680a4c26
2 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Tom Schad
2 months ago
And lastly: If you missed it last winter, be sure to check out this
@sam4tr.bsky.social
story on today's starter Marcus Mariota. The QB went deep on injury anxiety, perfectionism and his time here in ATL:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/...
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Marcus Mariota confronted his anxiety, then found peace in Washington
No longer a perfectionist, the Commandersâ veteran quarterback is offering true life experience as Jayden Danielsâs backup.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/12/27/marcus-mariota-commanders/
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When the WNBA playoffs tip off today, the future of womenâs hoops will shine bright. But off the court, tension between the players and team owners threatens to derail their progress. I dug into the leagueâs labor negotiations w/
@kareemcopeland.bsky.social
:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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How much are WNBA players worth? The leagueâs future lies in the answer.
Players want half of league revenue. The WNBA is preaching âsustainability.â With the current deal set to expire next month, who will blink?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/09/14/wnba-salaries-labor-contract/
3 months ago
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The Washington Commanders started sloppily. For the first time in years, âthatâs exciting.â A dispatch from the locker room.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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âThereâs plenty to clean upâ for a Commanders team with big expectations
What worked in Sundayâs season-opening win against the Giants wonât necessarily work again Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/09/08/commanders-high-expectations-opening-win/
3 months ago
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Everything went well for Commanders newcomers in Week 1 â including
@tomschad.bsky.social
:
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3 months ago
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Breaking: NFL owner Jim Irsay secretly relapsed, got ketamine from 'luxury' doctor before death. âĄïž Irsay and Colts execs misled the public âĄïž Irsay overdosed three times between 2020 and May death âĄïž Serious concerns raised about his doctorâs care
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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NFL owner secretly relapsed, got ketamine from private doctor before death
As a recovery doctor provided ketamine and opioids, Colts owner Jim Irsay spent his final years suffering through a relapse that he and executives hid from the public.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/08/28/jim-irsay-colts-addiction-death/
3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Jesse Dougherty
4 months ago
This is a fascinating read from
@sam4tr.bsky.social
:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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D.C. wants 200 events a year at its new stadium. Should bar mitzvahs count?
From bar mitzvahs and weddings to board meetings and conferences, private events increasingly shape the debate over NFL stadiums.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/07/29/nfl-stadium-annual-events/?itid=sf_sports_smr_p006_f004_4
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I dug into the world of modern NFL stadium event planning to parse a heated debate: How much are NFL stadiums used? I found the gap between numbers used by critics (eight) and boosters (200) comes down to mostly private events â like an epic bar mitzvah.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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D.C. wants 200 events a year at its new stadium. Should bar mitzvahs count?
From bar mitzvahs and weddings to board meetings and conferences, private events increasingly shape the debate over NFL stadiums.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/07/29/nfl-stadium-annual-events/
4 months ago
1
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Post Sports
7 months ago
What are the next steps toward a new stadium? What would it be called? How much would the city of D.C. pay toward stadium costs? Hereâs what you need to know about the deal between D.C. and the Commanders. (via
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social
and
@sam4tr.bsky.social
)
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What to know about the Commandersâ stadium deal with D.C.
There is a long way to go before fans are streaming down East Capitol Street on game day.
http://washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/04/29/commanders-football-stadium-dc/
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D.C., Commanders plan to announce deal for new stadium at RFK. Reporting w/ Meagan Flynn and
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social
:
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
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D.C., Commanders plan to announce deal for new stadium at RFK
Details of the deal â which must be approved by the D.C. Council â are expected to be announced by Commanders principal owner Josh Harris and Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) at a news conference Monday mor...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/04/27/commanders-dc-bowser-stadium-deal-rfk/
7 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Post Sports
7 months ago
â OL Josh Conerly Jr. â CB Trey Amos â WR Jaylin Lane â LB Kain Medrano â RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt The Commanders made five picks in this yearâs NFL draft. Hereâs how theyâll fit. (via
@sam4tr.bsky.social
)
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Analysis | Commanders 2025 draft tracker: How every Washington pick fits
Washington picked Oregon T Josh Conerly Jr., Mississippi CB Trey Amos, Virginia Tech WR Jaylin Lane, UCLA LB Kain Medrano and Arizona RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/04/25/commanders-draft-tracker-picks/
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I analyzed how all five of the Washington Commanders draft picks fit in ⊠⊠and explained the complicated eligibility issue that cost 7th-rd RB Jacory Crowley-Merritt nearly all of last season:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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Analysis | Commanders 2025 draft tracker: How every Washington pick fits
Washington picked Oregon T Josh Conerly Jr., Mississippi CB Trey Amos, Virginia Tech WR Jaylin Lane, UCLA LB Kain Medrano and Arizona RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/04/25/commanders-draft-tracker-picks/
7 months ago
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Iâm tracking and analyzing all the Washington Commanders 2025 draft picks right here. Tap in to learn about how Josh Conerly Jr. and Trey Amos fit in:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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Analysis | Commanders 2025 draft picks: What each player brings to the roster
The Washington Commanders had just five draft picks. They started by taking Oregon tackle Josh Conerly, Jr. and Ole Miss corner Trey Amos.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/04/25/commanders-draft-tracker-picks/
7 months ago
0
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Post Sports
8 months ago
Analysis by
@sam4tr.bsky.social
of every Commanders draft pick:
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Analysis | Commanders 2025 draft picks: What each player brings to the roster
The Washington Commanders had just five draft picks. They started by taking Oregon tackle Josh Conerly, Jr. and Ole Miss corner Trey Amos.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/04/25/commanders-draft-tracker-picks/
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My first round pick: Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka. Check out the other 11 (!!) picks from
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social
and me:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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Analysis | Commanders mock draft: How Washington might use its picks
Which players will the Commanders target in the 2025 draft? Beat writers Nicki Jhabvala and Sam Fortier offer their best predictions.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/04/23/washington-commanders-nfl-mock-draft/
8 months ago
0
3
3
reposted by
Sam Fortier
Post Sports
8 months ago
Which players will the Commanders target in this year's NFL draft? Beat writers
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social
and
@sam4tr.bsky.social
offer their best predictions.
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Analysis | Commanders mock draft: Post beat writers make Washingtonâs picks
Which players will the Commanders target in the 2025 draft? Beat writers Nicki Jhabvala and Sam Fortier offer their best predictions.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/04/23/washington-commanders-nfl-mock-draft/
0
3
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Jesse Dougherty
8 months ago
Loved this story from
@sam4tr.bsky.social
:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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How hope and obsession drive Americaâs mock draft mania
From the basement to the big board, the NFLâs mock draft culture has captivated both football analysts and ordinary fans.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/04/23/nfl-mock-draft-picks-simulators-most-accurate/
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Craig Hoffman
8 months ago
This story on mock drafts from
@sam4tr.bsky.social
is phenomenally fun.
wapo.st/3YbDAQu
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How hope and obsession drive Americaâs mock draft mania
From the basement to the big board, the NFLâs mock draft culture has captivated both football analysts and ordinary fans.
https://wapo.st/3YbDAQu
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I wrote about why weâre obsessed with NFL mock drafts. Itâs a story about hope and identity, and itâs told through the eyes of three people â the forgotten godfather, the modern analyst and the little-known king of the hill.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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How hope and obsession drive Americaâs mock draft mania
From the basement to the big board, the NFLâs mock draft culture has captivated both football analysts and ordinary fans.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/04/23/nfl-mock-draft-picks-simulators-most-accurate/
8 months ago
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What we learned from Commanders GM Adam Peters today: đ McLaurin new deal talks đ Deebo, Tunsil thoughts đ Javon Kinlaw on the rise đ Marketing rights for UAE đ John Bates growth as a pass catcher?
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social
&
@postsports.bsky.social
:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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Commanders hold preliminary talks on new deal for Terry McLaurin
Washington Commanders GM Adam Peters has high expectations for new additions Deebo Samuel, Laremy Tunsil and Javon Kinlaw.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/31/terry-mclaurin-contract-commanders/
8 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Craig Hoffman
9 months ago
Full conversation with
@sam4tr.bsky.social
available now! Video:
youtu.be/_FxOhHfU3fM
Audio will be in the radio showâs podcast feed in the AM!
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NFLâs Biggest X-Factor: The Impact of Ownership on Winning
YouTube video by Craig Hoffman
https://youtu.be/_FxOhHfU3fM
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Craig Hoffman
9 months ago
Doing something totally different today with the 5pm hour of the radio show: a podcast. No really.
@sam4tr.bsky.social
came in studio earlier and we talked about team building for an hour. We'll put out the full conversation in the next 24 hours, but hear the first two big chunks today at 5pm.
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Post Sports
9 months ago
Will Harris and Laremy Tunsil are two of Washington's newest additions. The team's strategy emphasized heft but seemed more nuanced than that. Analysis by
@sam4tr.bsky.social
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Analysis | The Commanders added 10 new players. Hereâs how they fit in.
Adam Peters and the Washington Commanders prioritized adding big bodies on both offense and defense in free agency. Hereâs a deeper look.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/19/how-commanders-free-agents-fit/
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Dan Steinberg
9 months ago
Tracking all the Commanders' comings and goings with
@sam4tr.bsky.social
and
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social
, who is currently crushing
@johnkeimespn.bsky.social
in career skeets, 3-1.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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Commanders free agency: Tracking all of Washingtonâs deals
The Washington Commanders agreed to a deal with DT Javon Kinlaw and to trade for Texans LT Laremy Tunsil, adding to a busy month.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/10/commanders-free-agency-tracker/
1
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Post Sports
9 months ago
Commanders free agency: Tracking all of Washingtonâs deals (via
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social
and
@sam4tr.bsky.social
)
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Commanders free agency: Tracking all of Washingtonâs deals
The Washington Commanders have already agreed to a deal with DT Javon Kinlaw and to trade for Texans LT Laremy Tunsil, adding to a busy month.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/10/commanders-free-agency-tracker/
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My analysis on the Washington Commanders trading for five-time Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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Commanders agree to trade for Texans star left tackle Laremy Tunsil
The Washington Commanders will acquire five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans for a package of draft picks.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/10/laremy-tunsil-traded-commanders/
9 months ago
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New Washington Commanders DT Javon Kinlaw. These clips show size, effort and physicality:
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9 months ago
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Commanders start by addressing the interior DL. Big guy (6-5, 319) who's a better pass rusher than run stopper. But he can be part of a rotation and match up size wise with the Eagles OL. Solid start.
add a skeleton here at some point
9 months ago
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The other app is down. You can follow all the Washington Commanders free agent moves here:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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Commanders free agency: Tracking all of Washingtonâs signings
The Washington Commanders already agreed to trade for Deebo Samuel and retained veterans Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz, Tress Way, Zane Gonzalez and John Bates.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/10/commanders-free-agency-tracker/
9 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Post Sports
9 months ago
The Commanders have plenty of cap space, plenty of needs, and plenty of momentum from their best season in decade as free agency looms (via
@sam4tr.bsky.social
and Nicki Jhabvala):
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Will the Commanders make a splash in free agency? Hereâs what to know.
The Commanders have plenty of cap space, plenty of needs, and plenty of momentum from their best season in decade as free agency looms.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/08/commanders-free-agency/
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I wrote about the benefits and risks of the Washington Commanders trading for Deebo Samuel:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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Analysis | Deebo Samuel at his best makes the Commandersâ offense even better
The star wideout struggled with injuries with San Francisco last season, but is tough, versatile, dangerous in space and capable of racking up big yards after the catch.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/02/deebo-samuel-commanders-offense/
9 months ago
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Big fan of this story by
@jessedougherty.bsky.social
on the human craving for control and the difficult task of letting it go:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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The NFL nearly broke Andrew Luck. At Stanford, heâs reinventing himself.
Luck gave everything to his shortened career as a quarterback. Now heâs back in the fray as the Cardinalâs first general manager.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/02/andrew-luck-stanford-general-manager/
9 months ago
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Watch the Super Bowl halftime show stage set up for Kendrick Lamar:
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10 months ago
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An Eagles fan let me walk with him around New Orleans to count the âGo Birds.â I was not prepared:
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10 months ago
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What should we expect from Tom Brady as a Super Bowl announcer? I asked Ben Strauss of
@postsports.bsky.social
:
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10 months ago
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I wrote about the cases for and against the Washington Commanders trading for Myles Garrett.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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Should the Commanders trade for Myles Garrett? Letâs take a close look.
Garrett requested a trade, and heâs the caliber of player who could change Washingtonâs defense. If heâs truly available, the team has a lot to consider.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/02/04/myles-garrett-trade/
10 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Fortier
Jesse Dougherty
10 months ago
"The end of the dream sounded a lot like squeaky wheels on carpet." The stone-cold goods from
@sam4tr.bsky.social
:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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The scene inside the Commandersâ locker room the day their dream died
After so many lively postgame celebrations during its renaissance season, Washington on Sunday had tears, appreciation and a bit of hope.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/01/27/commanders-lose-philly/
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The end of the dream sounded a lot like squeaky wheels on carpet. Inside the Washington Commanders locker room on the night the magic ran out:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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The scene inside the Commandersâ locker room the day their dream died
After so many lively postgame celebrations during its renaissance season, Washington on Sunday had tears, appreciation and a bit of hope.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/01/27/commanders-lose-philly/
10 months ago
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Jayden Daniels is the perfect point guard for the hoops-loving Commanders. âIf he was a basketball player, heâd want the last shot.â
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
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Jayden Daniels is the perfect point guard for the hoops-loving Commanders
The rookie quarterback may have the âMamba mentality,â and the basketball parallels donât stop there.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/01/24/jayden-daniels-basketball/
10 months ago
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Washington Inactives: 13 WR K.J. Osborn 16 QB Jeff Driskel (Emergency 3rd QB) 24 CB Michael Davis 36 RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. 45 LB Dominique Hampton 76 G Sam Cosmi 94 DT Daron Payne No surprises. G Chris Paul up with Cosmi (ACL) out and DT Carl Davis up with Payne (knee/finger) out.
10 months ago
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