Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders were close to acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo from the San Francisco 49ers before the quarterback's offseason surgery, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The two sides "had the parameters of a trade agreement in place" involving multiple draft picks, per Schefter.

Washington instead pivoted toward a trade for Carson Wentz, while Garoppolo remained with the 49ers on a restructured deal as the team's backup. He will now be San Francisco's starter going forward after Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

The 49ers weren't shy about shopping Garoppolo this offseason with Lance—the 2021 No. 3 overall pick—expected to take over the starting job. General manager John Lynch also admitted the team nearly had a deal before the March surgery.

"I felt we were close in some discussions and then the decision was made to have surgery and it brought things to a screeching halt," Lynch told KNBR in May.

The 49ers were surprised by Garoppolo's decision to undergo surgery, with Lynch saying it "certainly caused a lot of teams to pause."

The recovery went according to schedule, although the quarterback did not start throwing again until late June, via Matt Barrows of The Athletic. This would have been a significant risk for any team looking to acquire a starting quarterback in March. At the very least, it would've put the player behind in developing chemistry with his new team before training camp.

Washington instead went with another experienced starter in Wentz, who currently has 650 passing yards and an NFL-best seven passing touchdowns through two games.

The Carolina Panthers were also often linked with Garoppolo but instead traded for Baker Mayfield.

If Garoppolo plays well in 2022 and shows he's past his shoulder issues, there could be a bigger market when he hits free agency after this season.

Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder reportedly may soon face pressure from other ownership groups to sell the NFL franchise.

Mark Maske, Nicki Jhabvala and Liz Clarke of the Washington Post reported Saturday that "multiple" NFL owners, none of whom were named, "believe serious consideration" will be given to either convincing Snyder to sell or voting to remove him.

"He needs to sell," one owner told the Washington Post. "Some of us need to go to him and tell him that he needs to sell."

One owner referenced the pressure placed on Phoenix Suns governor Robert Sarver, who received a one-year suspension and $10 million fine from the NBA following an investigation into allegations of racism and misogyny.

Several high-profile players, including Suns star Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, spoke out saying the punishment wasn't enough. Sarver proceeded to announce he's putting the Suns and WNBA's Phoenix Mercury up for sale.

"Need to have it happen like the NBA just had," an NFL owner told the Washington Post in reference to a similar voluntary sale by Snyder.

Not all owners agreed with the sentiment, however, with one telling the Post it would be "surprising" if there was a sustained movement to oust Snyder at the current time.

Commanders president Jason Wright released a statement in response to the newspaper's report.

"We are making important progress on a cultural transformation to ensure our workplace is inclusive and safe for all," Wright said. "The League has publicly recognized our efforts, and independent experts regularly examining our journey on this accord have confirmed this progress. We are relentlessly focused on continuous improvement at every level of the organization so that we can be a gold standard organization in all facets."

In July 2021, the NFL fined Washington $10 million following an investigation that determined members of the organization acted in a "highly unprofessional" manner "both generally and particularly for women."

The probe found evidence of bullying, intimidation, multiple allegations of sexual harassment and a "general lack of respect in the workplace."

Details of the investigation were never publicly released as the NFL said lead investigator Beth Wilkinson verbally presented her findings to the league rather than in a physical report.

The U.S. House of Representatives' Oversight Committee launched its own investigation into the Commanders' workplace culture last October, and Snyder testified for over 10 hours during a July hearing.

"Despite the investigation's conclusion last month—marked by proposed legislation and a summary of findings—Mr. Snyder fully addressed all questions about workplace misconduct, described the Commanders' dramatic two-year transformation and expressed hope for the organization's bright future," a team spokesperson said after the voluntary deposition.

The Commanders are also under investigation by Virginia's Office of the Attorney General for alleged financial improprieties related to hiding revenue from the NFL's revenue-sharing pool and withholding security deposits from fans.

Washington denied those allegations in an 18-page letter sent to the Federal Trade Commission in April.

Snyder purchased majority control of the Commanders in 1999. He bought out the remaining shareholders in April 2021, giving his family 100 percent control of the franchise. Forbes estimated the team's value at $5.6 billion ahead of the 2022 season.

Washington has qualified for the playoffs just six times in the 23 years of Snyder's ownership tenure, and it's never advanced beyond the Divisional Round of the postseason.

Washington Commanders chief operating officer Greg Resh is leaving the team, per JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington, who reported Resh wants to be closer to family.

Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post confirmed the news.

Per the team website, Resh's responsibilities include "overseeing the organization's finance, operations, IT, business intelligence and guest experience functions."

Resh released a statement about his decision, via A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports:

"Last week I informed my teammates and the Snyder family that I am moving on to a new opportunity in Baltimore, the place where I grew up and where my family lives. I'm grateful for the transformative professional opportunity provided to me."

Wright issued a statement as well, via Jhabvala:

"One of the key leaders of our cultural transformation and dramatic commercial turnaround, Greg's professional expertise, his devotion to the work, and his leadership through a significant period of change was essential and greatly appreciated. The mark of a successful tenure is knowing you achieved what you set out to do, and Greg did exactly that. Our organization owes him a debt of gratitude, and we wish him well as he begins a new chapter in his hometown, Baltimore."

Resh joined the team as its chief financial officer in November 2020, per Jhabvala. He previously worked as the CFO for NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, Roc Nation and Sontiq. Resh took over for Stephen Choi, who was Washington's CFO for four years.

Resh was part of a massive front-office overhaul that occurred following a July 2020 Post report and subsequent investigation launched by the NFL into the team's workplace culture after 50 former employees alleged sexual harassment or verbal abuse by team employees.

Head coach Ron Rivera had come aboard in December 2019, but other prominent hires since then include senior vice president of media and content Julie Donaldson, team president Jason Wright, chief people officer Andre Chambers and general manager Martin Mayhew.

The attorneys for the former Washington Commanders employees who accused the organization and owner Daniel Snyder of mistreatment, Lisa Banks and Debra Katz, called for Snyder to sell the team in the wake of Robert Sarver's decision to sell the Phoenix Suns and Mercury following the results of a workplace misconduct investigation of his own.

Sarver, 60, was suspended for one year by the NBA and fined $10 million after the league's investigation into allegations of using racist and sexist language in the workplace, among other accusations.

Amid growing public pressure that he sell the team, however, Sarver relented on Wednesday, announcing his intention to sell in a public statement that, in part, seemed like an attempt to paint himself as a victim in the situation.

"As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness," he wrote. "I expected that the commissioner's one-year suspension would provide the time for me to focus, make amends and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love.

"But in our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that that is no longer possible—that whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past," the statement continued. "For those reasons, I am beginning the process of seeking buyers for the Suns and Mercury."

Snyder, 57, has himself been a constant source of negative publicity in recent years and oversaw a toxic workplace environment in Washington. Among the allegations levied against him and the workplace culture he fostered were sexual harassment, sexual assault, financial impropriety and bullying and intimidation from over 50 former employees.

The NFL fined Snyder and the organization $10 million as a result of its own investigation into Washington's workplace culture but didn't publicly reveal its findings. The House Oversight Committee has since opened its own investigation into the situation.

Carson Wentz is set to face the Philadelphia Eagles next weekend for the first time since departing the franchise after the 2020 season, but he told reporters Sunday that he's going to treat the game like he would any other.

"Just another game," Wentz said after Washington's 36-27 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

The Eagles selected Wentz second overall in the 2016 NFL draft out of North Dakota State.

He spent the first five seasons of his career with the franchise, with his best year coming in 2017 when he led the Eagles to an 11-2 record in 13 games before suffering a torn ACL that ended his season.

Wentz completed 60.2 percent of his passes for 3,296 yards and 33 touchdowns against seven interceptions in 2017, and he finished third in MVP voting. He returned in 2018 and appeared in 11 games, and in 2019, he led the Eagles to an NFC East title.

However, he has become a shadow of his former self since recovering from his ACL injury.

During the 2020 campaign, Wentz started 12 games for the Eagles and went 3-8-1. He completed 57.4 percent of his passes for 2,620 yards and 16 touchdowns against an unacceptable 15 interceptions.

The Eagles went on to trade Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts ahead of the 2021 season in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 conditional second-round pick. The Colts hoped he could return to form under Frank Reich, who served as the Eagles offensive coordinator in 2016 and 2017.

While he put together a much better season than he did in 2020, his effort still wasn't enough for the Colts. In 17 games, he led Indy to a 9-8 record and completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 3,563 yards and 27 touchdowns against seven interceptions.

The Colts then traded him to the Commanders in March 2022.

In his Washington debut last weekend, he threw for 313 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in a 28-22 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Sunday's loss to the Lions, he threw for 337 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

With the Commanders sitting third in the NFC East at 1-1, Wentz and Co. will be looking to improve to 2-1 next weekend with a win over the Eagles.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since being shot in an attempted robbery in August.

Robinson was seen working individually on a stationary bike and doing ladder drills as he attempts to work his way back on the field.

The Alabama product was set to be the Commanders' early-downs running back for Week 1 before he was shot twice in the leg last month. He was able to avoid any major ligament or bone damage, but the Commanders placed him on the non-football injury list to allow him at least four weeks to heal.

It's possible Robinson will be available as soon as Week 5's game against the Tennessee Titans. Commanders coach Ron Rivera said Robinson has been a locker-room boost ever since returning to the team.

“I think it’s really cool,” Rivera told reporters last week. “The guys reacted very, very positively the first day he came back after being discharged. That was a really cool moment for the guys because they got to see him in person. The realization that he’s gonna be OK I think really helped settle a lot of the guys.”

The Washington offense fared well in Week 1's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, with Antonio Gibson leading the backfield charge with 130 total yards on 21 touches (14 carries, seven receptions). Gibson will continue being the lead back until Robinson returns.

The Washington Commanders are facing a lawsuit stemming from a railing collapse at FedEx Field last season that caused fans to fall to the ground.

John Keim of ESPN reported four people filed the suit Friday and are seeking "in excess" of $75,000 each and $300,000 total because of "loss of income, medical expenses, pain and suffering."

Keim noted the lawsuit said the plaintiffs suffered cervical strains, muscle strains, bone contusions, cuts, bruises, headaches and "other potential long-term effects, both physical and emotional" that are still requiring treatment.

The railing collapse spread on social media at the time in large part because Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was present at the scene following his team's game against Washington.

He even helped some of the fans who fell to the ground back up on their feet:

While Washington said stadium representatives provided medical treatment options, the plaintiffs said that was "patently false."

A team official said the railing was not load-bearing in an area that is designated for disabled people in wheelchairs, but Bob Sokolove, who is a plaintiff's attorney, said stadium employees told the fans they could enter the area after the game and did not warn about the railing.

"It's beyond negligent to skimp on a safety measure in such a high visibility, high trafficked area," Sokolove said. "Whether it's an NCAA game or a pro basketball game or the NFL, everybody comes to the tunnel where the players are coming out. The weight of everyone pushing forward to get a high-five or a wristband or whatever puts even more pressure on what otherwise were pathetic railings."

The lawsuit also said nobody from the team or Contemporary Services Corporation, which provides security at FedEx Field, reached out to determine the severity of any injuries from the railing collapse.

It happened in Week 17 of the season and after the Eagles completed a 20-16 victory.

Hurts threw for 214 yards and helped his team improve to 9-7 before he played a helpful role in the aftermath of the incident.

There will be major question marks regarding the Washington Commanders backfield once Brian Robinson is able to return to the field, namely for fantasy players. The rookie appeared to be the favorite to earn the starting job ahead of Antonio Gibson before he was shot multiple times in August in an attempted robbery against him.

But Gibson may retain fantasy value even upon Robinson's return. Head coach Ron Rivera told reporters Monday he wants to find ways to utilize him in space:

Gibson had an excellent season debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars, rushing 14 times for 58 yards while adding seven receptions for 72 yards on eight targets.

It was the most single-game targets of his career, tied his previous mark for the most receptions in a game and was the third-most receiving yards he's ever accumulated in a contest.

And it wasn't all on dump-downs out of the backfield, either—Gibson had some impressive nabs:

Traditionally, Gibson has been more of a between-the-tackles runner for the Commanders in his three-year career. As a rookie, he had 36 catches for 247 yards on 44 targets. Last season, he bumped it up slightly to 42 catches for 294 yards and three scores.

That limited role was always a bigger surprise than Gibson's strong receiving day was Sunday in the team's 28-22 home victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was a wide receiver in college, after all.

If Washington is indeed serious about giving him more looks as a receiver—and it should be—it could keep him fantasy-relevant upon Robinson's return. Backfield committees are always tricky for fantasy players to navigate, but committees with defined roles make it a bit easier to project upside going forward.

Gibson proved he could be effective as a receiving weapon out of the backfield on Sunday. He'll remain a high-end flex pick until Robinson's return, and if his receiving role remains intact, he should offer you a decent flex option the rest of the way, especially come the bye weeks.

Former NFL safety Deshazor Everett has been sentenced to three months of house arrest in connection with the car crash that killed his girlfriend, Olivia Peters, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post.

Everett was initially charged with a felony involuntary manslaughter after the December 2021 crash in which he was driving over twice the posted 45 mph speed limit, but he later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless driving, per TMZ Sports. He could have faced up to one year in jail even with the lesser charge.

The 30-year-old spent seven years with the Washington Commanders after going undrafted out of Texas A&M. He appeared in 89 games during this time, making 17 starts.

In 2021, Everett played 14 games while mostly spending time on special teams.

Everett last played on Dec. 21, two days before the crash that also caused him to be hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries:

The car drove off the road and rolled over while hitting several trees, per ESPN's John Keim. Peters, 29, died at the hospital after the crash.

Everett was released by Washington in March.

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera provided an encouraging update on rookie running back Brian Robinson.

Rivera said Wednesday on the The Don Geronimo Show (via the Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala) the swelling in Robinson's knee has lessened "an awful lot." The 23-year-old no longer needs crutches either.

Robinson was shot multiple times Aug. 28 during an attempted robbery. He was briefly hospitalized and released one day after the shooting.

The Commanders placed Robinson on the reserve/non-football injury list to open the 2022 regular season. As a result, he will miss at least Washington's first four games and could debut in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans.

Speaking with reporters Monday, Rivera remained vague about when Robinson will be cleared to return, saying he'll have to complete a "number of steps" before it happens.

"As he goes through this process, the timeline in terms of his daily workout schedule and recovery schedule will change," Rivera told reporters.

Only two days after the shooting, Robinson returned to the Commanders' practice facility. Rivera thought it provided an emotional lift for his teammates because "they could see he was OK" and that "really kind of put a lot of their minds at ease."

The Commanders selected Robinson with the No. 98 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. He ran for 1,343 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior with Alabama in 2021.