Washington
NFC East news: The Aiyuk to Washington dream likely won’t be coming true
Commanders reportedly admit defeat in Brandon Aiyuk trade pursuit – Dean Jones, RiggosRag.com
Washington’s dream will not be coming true.
The Washington Commanders have been constantly linked with a trade for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk this offseason. His contract stalemate coupled with the player’s close relationship with quarterback Jayden Daniels left many thinking this would be the perfect landing spot for the prolific pass-catcher. Something that would provide the franchise with a legitimate one-two punch alongside Terry McLaurin.
Adam Peters called his old employers earlier this offseason with an inquiry but nothing concrete emerged. It seemed as if the San Francisco 49ers would work something out with the wideout, but there’s a growing belief that a parting of the ways could be imminent.
Aiyuk’s next destination hasn’t been determined as yet. However, it doesn’t look like the former first-round pick will reunite with his old college teammate.
Commanders reportedly out of the running for Brandon Aiyuk
According to Matt Maiocco from NBC Sports, the Commanders were one of a handful of teams Aiyuk was permitted to speak to about a long-term extension. The reporter added that Washington and the Pittsburgh Steelers are now out of the running, leaving the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots as the most likely trade partners very shortly.
Whether it was Aiyuk’s contract demands or the compensation attached to this transaction remains to be seen. Peters knows how good the wideout is. But if the financial commitment or draft picks required to acquire him didn’t fit into the Commanders’ long-term plans for progress, pulling the plug was always likely.
This will be disappointing to some fans. Perhaps even to Aiyuk and Daniels themselves given how they’ve been joined at the hip almost all offseason.
Nothing has been confirmed one way or another, but an end to this long-running saga isn’t far off. If this report is accurate and the Commanders have thrown in the towel, they’ll have to make do with what they have in the wideout room and hope Daniels can elevate them accordingly.
Daniel Jones explains involvement in Lions-Giants joint-practice scuffle: ‘You try to stand up for guys’ – Nick Shook, NFL.com
A fiery side of Daniel Jones was seen at a joint practice with Detroit.
Joint practices tend to breed animosity. Just ask the New York Giants.
The G-Men found themselves in a few scraps during their Monday session with the Detroit Lions, a day that grew to become so chippy even quarterback Daniel Jones got involved in the fracas.
Jones was eventually pulled from the scrum by a coach, per SNY, but not before he was able to get involved enough to earn some respect from his teammates.
“Oh lord … Daniel got jiggy with it?” Giants edge rusher Brian Burns said after Monday’s practice, per SNY. “Daniel was out there with it? Yeah! I’m [going to] need him to back up. I’m [going to] need him to back up, let his O-line handle that. But yeah, nah Daniel, he’s a competitor man, he’s a fighter. I don’t expect nothing less from him, but I don’t need him in that, I don’t need him to get hit, keep him healthy.”
Jones was asked about the incident afterward and downplayed his involvement.
“I mean, situation happens like that, you try to stand up for your guys but I thought it was a good competitive practice all day today,” Jones said, per FOX Sports. “We made some plays and did some good things, there’s some things we need to [shore] up for sure. But good intensity and competitive spirit there.”
Some coaches despise in-practice fights, because it robs them of quality time intended to improve. But with hot weather and the natural competitive environment of joint practices, so too come some occasional spats.
Execution is the goal. Jones can provide moral support from outside the fight the next time one (inevitably) breaks out.
Saquon Barkley calls 50,000 fans at Eagles’ practice ‘truly insane’ – Alexis Chassen, BleedingGreenNation.com
The Philly fandom is already showing out for Saquon Barkley and company.
For the first six seasons of his NFL career, Saquon Barkley only knew Lincoln Financial Field, and the Eagles fans that fill it, from the visitor locker room. After signing with the Eagles this offseason, Barkley had his first taste of his new home at last week’s open practice, and he was blown away.
Speaking to reporters after Monday’s training camp practice, the running back lauded the environment and expressed his appreciation to the fans.
“That one was crazy, I’m not gonna lie. I already knew how much love this city has for, not only this team, but all the teams around here, but for a practice to have 50,000 is truly insane.
So, thank you to all those fans that came out and showed love and support.
That’s big. It’s helps us as a team, and it makes us want to go out there — you kinda get like a college feel again. Like when I was in college, you don’t want noone to come into Beaver Stadium and get a win there, you get that feel here.”
Barkley said he was shown a lot of love as he exited the home team tunnel for his very first time, and noted that he appreciates how much this team means to the fans.