JP Finlay
Verified- Washington Football Team Reporter, Monumental Sports Network
- Sports Reporter, nbc4
- Host, Beltway Football
Arlington
hate when folks say nobody is from DC | @nbc4sports All Ears www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D | weekdays 10-2 @1067theFan | Beltway Football for @monsportsnet
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Articles by JP Finlay
Rain or shine! Commanders fans in full force for matchup vs. Giants
JP Finlay hit the tailgate ahead of Washington's matchup against the New York Giants to see how fans are keeping the party going despite the soggy weather.
Making sense of the London mess
The Commanders went to England for a weird week and came back 1-3. LONDON — It’s quite hard to reconcile what exactly happened in the Commanders 30-13 loss to the Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. While lovely weather and pleasant British people dotted the landscape, the whole week was weird. Washington arrived in the U.K. with speculation building that injured star quarterback Jayden Daniels might actually play against Indianapolis, less than two weeks removed from a gruesome elbow dislocation.
Far more questions than answers after Jayden Daniels injury
ARLINGTON, Tx. — On the last play of a brilliant first half Commanders right guard Chris Paul stepped on Jayden Daniels’ foot, putting the quarterback off balance. Daniels leaned down to steady himself on his left arm, and then disaster struck. In a scene very similar to last year against Seattle, it looked like Daniels arm popped out of socket, or at least bent the wrong way.
All Ears: Breakdown of the 53
The Commanders cut the roster from 90 to 53 players. JP breaks down what the team looks like on offense and defense, and delves into the notable cuts on both sides of the ball. Plus, the mailbag gets a special response from a former center of the Burgundy & Gold.
There’s no right answer for Jayden Daniels in the preseason
DETROIT — Jayden Daniels played three snaps. He faced pressure on the first down play, got sacked on second down and Commanders offensive coordinator DavidBlough mericfully deployed the avoid disaster playbook with a draw call on 3rd & 20. It was underwhelming to say the least. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is the problem with playing quarterbacks in the preseason.
Any lessons from Washington's preseason opener?
Reminder before we start: Don’t draw conclusions from the preseason. The final score absolutely doesn’t matter. Preseason wins and losses do not matter. Washington’s preseason opener against Miami wasn’t quite a disaster, but for the small part of the game that mattered, it was. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. The Dolphins offense marched down the field on its opening drive for a touchdown. 14 plays, 93 yards.
Diggs in, Tunsil out; how do expectations change?
Excitement washed over the Ashburn practice fields on Friday morning with the arrival of veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs. A star wideout joining Terry McLaurin and Jayden Daniels, giving the Commanders offense a litany of possibilities. And that same excitement waned Saturday morning as star left tackle Laremy Tunsil exited the field after going down in 1v1 drills. The news came out Saturday night that Tunsil tore his tricep, and according to a source, will require surgery.
Stefon Diggs' signing proves Adam Peters learned a lesson
Adam Peters clearly learned his lesson. One year after a disastrous 5-12 2025 campaign marred by injuries up and down the roster, this time the Commanders general manager decided to add veteran talent before it was too late. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Enter Stefon Diggs.
Washington Commanders sign veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs
Diggs comes with a lot of well-deserved acclaim from his time in Minnesota, Buffalo and last year in New England, in kind of a different role, as this veteran went over 1,000 yards for a team that went to the Super Bowl. Reporters and people on staff in New England say Diggs was a model citizen in the locker room and everything worked out well. Here's what else is interesting: Diggs went over 1,000 yards, was the Patriots' leading receiver, and he barely played more than 50% of the snaps.
Washington Commanders sign veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs
Big breaking news in Commanders Land: Washington just signed veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Diggs comes with a lot of well-deserved acclaim from his time in Minnesota, Buffalo and last year in New England, in kind of a different role, as this veteran went over 1,000 yards for a team that went to the Super Bowl. Stream Connecticut News for free, 24/7, wherever you are. Reporters and people on staff in New England say Diggs was a model citizen in the locker room and everything worked out well.
Washington Commanders sign veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs
Diggs comes with a lot of well-deserved acclaim from his time in Minnesota, Buffalo and last year in New England, in kind of a different role, as this veteran went over 1,000 yards for a team that went to the Super Bowl. Reporters and people on staff in New England say Diggs was a model citizen in the locker room and everything worked out well. Here's what else is interesting: Diggs went over 1,000 yards, was the Patriots' leading receiver, and he barely played more than 50% of the snaps.
Washington Commanders sign veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs
Big breaking news in Commanders Land: Washington just signed veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Diggs comes with a lot of well-deserved acclaim from his time in Minnesota, Buffalo and last year in New England, in kind of a different role, as this veteran went over 1,000 yards for a team that went to the Super Bowl. Reporters and people on staff in New England say Diggs was a model citizen in the locker room and everything worked out well.
Training Camp Day 2: Minor (injury) bug bites
Going into training camp the two positions that fans felt the most angst about were center and wide receiver. So news on Thursday that presumptive starting center Nick Allegretti and wide receiver Treylon Burks would both miss practice wasn’t well received. It’s important to note the specific language that Washington coach Dan Quinn used to describe the injuries: This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Training Camp Day 1: Good day for WRs
For the past few months seemingly every conversation around the Washington Commanders centers on the wide receiver position. "Sure, they’ve got Terry McLaurin, but what about No. 2?” This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Well over the last 48 hours in Ashburn maybe some answers have emerged. On Monday night Washington GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn reiterated how much they like the current receiver group.
Pre-camp coaching change not ideal, but not the end of the world either
Things usually get busy in the NFL once training camp opens, but for the Commanders, things got busy two days early. The headline comes from the firing of tight ends coach Ben Steele. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Washington Commanders@Commanders We are parting ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele. The team will have no further comment at this time.
Analyzing an actual Commanders roster move that matters
Dan Quinn told the truth. It’s not necessarily remarkable that an NFL head coach told the truth, but it doesn’t happen all that often either. Quinn prides himself on his ability to not divulge much information, but he doesn’t do the outright misinformation spew that many other NFL coaches thrive in either. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. So what did Quinn tell the truth about?
Sports hypocrisy? Fear and loathing with World Cup expansion
I fear I’m a sports hypocrite. Like most American kids I grew up liking soccer and playing soccer. Maybe it was a bit amplified in my house because my dad was from Europe, but football was always king and I loved hoops too. But I liked soccer. So I’ve watched the World Cup as long as I can remember. We watched the Euro Cup and English and Scottish leagues too. I remember as a young kid going to the old Flanagans basement bar in Bethesda to watch matches.
Anthony Davis Has 'Strong Interest' In Being A Part Of Wizards
Despite rumors swirling to the contrary, Anthony Davis wants to be a part of what the Washington Wizards are building according to team president Michael Winger. "My conversations with AD are delightful. He’s a pro’s pro. He understands who he is in this league, he understands the direction of this league, he understands what we’re trying to do organizationally," Winger said.
Summertime in the NFL: Commanders have reading assignments
Jayden Daniels set the tone for the Commanders as the entire NFL prepares for it’s summer break: “I’ve still got a long ways to go.” Daniels comments were nominally about learning the new Washington offense but the reality is the third-year quarterback was letting his teammates know that just because the players won’t be back in Ashburn until late July, the work must continue. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Commanders coaches talk - what did we learn?
NFL head coaches talk all the time. During the season head coaches are mandated to address the media at least four times a week. In the offseason the pace slows, but still the head coach is by far the most visible mouthpiece for the organization. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Where the NFL doesn’t grant much media access? That would be assistant coaches. Position coaches. Those dudes almost never talk publicly.
Commanders offense starting to reveal new looks
We’re about halfway through the on-field portion of Washington’s offseason workouts and some things are starting to become apparent. Like what? Like motion and multiplicity on the offensive side of the ball. Terry McLaurin explained it best: multiple formations and a lot of movement. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Commanders OTA Notes: Tempo is up, vibes are high
Much has changed in Ashburn but the players seem ready to embrace the challenge Football in May without pads requires plenty of caveats, but watching the Commanders first offseason workout open to the media stood out for a number of reasons. To begin, the team had nearly perfect attendance. Laremy Tunsil - one of the best left tackles in football with a history of missing voluntary team activities - was there. That was a big statement in itself.
OTA Preview: 3 Commanders questions before offseason workouts
As the NFL offseason workouts ramp up let's look at some things to watch in Ashburn. On Wednesday the Commanders will hold their first OTA session with the media in attendance. What we see - and don’t see - will be our first real look at what the 2026 season might look like. It’s vital to stress these are May workouts and actual football is months away. These are glimpses, brief ones, into what things will be so don’t go crazy with assumptions. This Substack is reader-supported.
How realistic is 10 targets-per-game for Terry McLaurin?
Looking at Ben Johnson's offenses and trying to extrapolate what it means with David Blough in Washington. The Fantasy Football community drooled when new Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough talked about getting wide receiver Terry McLaurin 10 targets-per-game. But that wasn’t just fantasy fodder. Blough told McLaurin the same thing. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Commanders schedule has early trouble but opportunities later
4 schedule thoughts for the Commanders 2026 season The NFL released the full 2026 season schedule last week while I was traveling. I made a video to react and did a podcast talking through all the games, but I am just now getting time to write down some thoughts. Here they are: Soft Hard Open - Starting the 2026 NFL season with back-to-back division games on the road presents a difficult task for Washington.
Commanders release 2026 schedule – and it starts out tough
The Washington Commanders' full schedule for the 2026 season is out, and it starts with a bang. The first month of the season is going to be brutal for the Commanders, with three road games, including an overseas trip to London. And the home opener is against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks. Things settle down after that, and Washington has a well-situated bye week in October.
"I'm going to give everything I've got to the Commanders"
Before jumping into a bunch of notes from rookie minicamp it’s important to set the scene. There are roughly 40 players on the field, almost all of whom know nothing about the Commanders playbook, and probably fewer than half of whom will ever make an NFL roster. The math goes like this: 6 draft picks, 9 undrafted free agents, a few holdovers from the 2025 practice squad and then a host of “tryout” players.
Is the Commanders WR room a concern?
Let’s suspend time for a minute and discuss the Commanders current wide receiver room. This exercise means not talking about the omnipresent Brandon Aiyuk rumors or the wideout names still available in free agency. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Instead, let’s examine the Washington wide receiver room as it is, and explore if the angst that some in the fan base continue to vocalize is warranted.
Rookie minicamp on tap for Commanders
Washington’s 2026 draft class received broad praise after adding six new players over three days in Pittsburgh. Sonny Styles is the headliner - obviously - but there’s real excitement about offensive weapons like Antonio Williams and Kaytron “Fatman” Allen too. The new guys get their first chance to don the Burgundy and Gold this week at rookie minicamp.
It's time for a Brandon Aiyuk reality check
It’s time to have an honest conversation about Brandon Aiyuk. Speculation just won’t stop connecting the Washington Commanders and current 49ers wide receiver Aiyuk. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. There are reasons for the rumors. It’s super well documented that Aiyuk and Commanders QB Jayden Daniels played a few seasons of college ball together at Arizona State and the two remain close friends.
Ranking Day 3 draft picks chances of making the Commanders 53
Getting drafted isn’t always an immediate ticket to NFL stardom. Saturday draft picks (rounds 4, 5, 6 and 7) don’t always make NFL rosters. That’s reality in pro football. Washington’s situation, however, is a bit different. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Sonny Styles and Antonio Williams are in, so who's out?
Washington concluded the 2026 NFL Draft late Saturday afternoon by selecting a 7th-round quarterback from Rutgers to cap off a three-day stretch where the Commanders added six rookies and made zero trades. Early “grades” to Washington’s draft come in with high regard. Commanders GM Adam Peters has a habit of landing players with superb athleticism and by and large that was on display, particularly with the first-round selection of Sonny Styles. This Substack is reader-supported.
Adam Peters kept it simple with Sonny Styles
Adam Peters went into Thursday night with a simple mindset: Don’t overthink it. And when Washington’s number came up on draft night the Commanders made the simple decision to take Ohio State LB Sonny Styles with the 7th overall pick. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. “We’re thrilled to have him,” Peters said after the first round.
NFC East holds a lot of power for 2026 Draft
Sure the Commanders hold the 7th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but Washington is hardly the only NFC East team with a major say on Thursday night. The Giants hold the 5th and the 10th pick, and in turn a huge opportunity to transform their team. Thanks to last year’s Micah Parsons’ trade the Cowboys also have two first-rounders while Eagles GM Howie Roseman is widely considered the most aggressive front office executive in the league when it comes to draft trades.
NFC East holds a lot of power for 2026 Draft
Sure the Commanders hold the 7th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but Washington is hardly the only NFC East team with a major say on Thursday night. The Giants hold the 5th and the 10th pick, and in turn a huge opportunity to transform their team. Thanks to last year’s Micah Parsons’ trade the Cowboys also have two first-rounders while Eagles GM Howie Roseman is widely considered the most aggressive front office executive in the league when it comes to draft trades.
Making sense of the Commanders draft options
The truth shall set you free. Except in the NFL. A tacit agreement exists between NFL coaches and general managers and the players and fans of the sport. The football bosses just don’t provide real information most of the time, and occasionally offer up outright lies, and for the most part, players and fans shrug it off. Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. That certainly extends to this week when the NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh.
Augusta, Glasgow, and the lives in between
I watched intently as Tiger worked his way around the putting green. He hit putts, but more noticeably he just walked around and messed with other guys. He’s Tiger. He could mess with anybody he wanted. Even at Augusta and even a few days before the Masters started. Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. It wasn’t ill natured. In fact it was the best. He was just hanging out. Working on his game but also enjoying the moment.
Pressure mounts for Commanders and Dan Quinn after coordinator moves
It only took one down season for Commanders head coach Dan Quinn to push his chips in and seek major change in Washington. And that’s not a stretch. While the decision to fire both his offensive and defensive coordinators might not have been Quinn’s alone, the head coach now has to live with the results.
Changes coming for Commanders coaching staff, but there is no scapegoat
The Commanders need major changes after a terrible season, and that could include a new play caller. But to be crystal clear, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury does not deserve to be the scapegoat for this miserable year. Washington struggled throughout the 2025 season, limping into the Week 18 finale with a 4-12 record, so it should bring little surprise that reports are swirling about possible coaching staff changes.
Jayden Daniels still not practicing Friday before Commanders game Sunday
Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels wasn’t at practice Friday as he continues to nurse a knee injury suffered last week at Green Bay. Earlier in the week, coach Dan Quinn said he’d like to see Daniels practice before potentially starting on Sunday against the Raiders. News4 Sports saw backup quarterback Marcus Mariota taking reps at the portion of practice open to the media on Friday morning in Ashburn.
After magical 2024 season, 4 next steps for Commanders
After a tremendous 14-6 season that reminded Burgundy and Gold fans what it meant to love a football team, the harsh reality of the NFL sets in. With the ugly 55-23 loss to the Eagles in the NFC championship game in the rearview mirror, it's time for Washington to turn the page from the 2024 season and start to look at the future. General Manager Adam Peters crushed his first year on the job, and now the pressure mounts for his second.
A magical season for Commanders turns its focus to Tampa for Wild Card
ARLINGTON, Texas - As Washington approaches Wild Card weekend in Tampa the big question seems simple: How many more rabbits are in the hat? In a magical season with more dramatic wins than perhaps ever in recent memory, the Commanders saved their wildest moment for the end of the regular season. Down three with six seconds remaining against the Cowboys, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota saw wide receiver Terry McLaurin getting single covered and heaved a pass to the corner of the end zone.
With Marshon Lattimore trade, Commanders press the gas on turnaround
At 7-2 and with their best record through nine games in almost 30 years, the Washington Commanders decided to press the gas on the season and trade for a star defensive back. Source confirms Commanders trade for Marshon Lattimore. Huge get for Washington, true CB1 - JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 5, 2024 News emerged Tuesday afternoon that Washington sent a package of draft picks to New Orleans in exchange for four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
That's the Commanders' question
NBC Washington When Washington Head Coach Dan Quinn insisted this offseason that his team was "recalibrating" instead of rebuilding, the plan was clear: improve now for big wins later. Only rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels didn't necessarily subscribe to that plan. Daniels showed up, showed out, and in turn changed the scope of the Commanders' 2024 season. Great quarterbacks alter organizational plans. And it sure looks like Daniels is or will be a great quarterback.
Commanders, Daniels deliver beatdown on Cleveland as Ravens game looms
NORTHWEST STADIUM - On a perfect fall afternoon, the echoes of past Washington football glory seemed alive and well en route to a blowout Commanders 34 -13 win over the bumbling Cleveland Browns. Washington held a three-touchdown lead at halftime and pushed it even further in the second half. The stands were packed with fans, almost all wearing burgundy and gold and screaming for the home team.
Commanders, Daniels deliver beatdown on Cleveland as Ravens game looms
NORTHWEST STADIUM - On a perfect fall afternoon, the echoes of past Washington football glory seemed alive and well en route to a blowout Commanders 34 -13 win over the bumbling Cleveland Browns. Washington held a three-touchdown lead at halftime and pushed it even further in the second half. The stands were packed with fans, almost all wearing Burgundy and Gold and screaming for the home team.
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