NFC East

The Washington Commanders reportedly are the focus of a criminal investigation from the U.S. attorney's office in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN reported Wednesday that the office opened the investigation following allegations the team "engaged in financial improprieties." The team is also under investigation by attorneys general in Virginia and Washington, D.C. for the same reason.

The House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission and different attorneys general in April alleging "deceptive business practices over the span of more than a decade, including withholding ticket revenue from visiting teams and refundable deposits from fans."

Some of the evidence came from the testimony of former team employees, with one telling Congress team owner Dan Snyder was aware the Commanders operated two financial books.

The practice was referred to as "juice" inside the team office with one book allegedly holding true financial records and the other featuring unreported ticket revenue that was presented to the NFL.

What's more, the team allegedly made recouping refundable deposit money unnecessarily cumbersome for season-ticket holders and shifted money generated by ticket sales to Commanders games to other events at FedEx Field in an effort to hide it from the NFL and revenue sharing practices.

Attorney John Brownlee is representing the team and released a statement saying the ESPN report consists of "falsehoods based solely on anonymous sources" and calling the allegations "simply untrue."

The statement also said the team has cooperated with investigators since the April letter and "has produced tens of thousands of records in response to the requests."

This is just the latest for the Commanders, who have faced a number of investigations into their workplace culture. As Van Natta noted, attorney Mary Jo White is currently investigating the team and an allegation that Snyder sexually assaulted a woman on his plane in 2009.

Washington previously hired attorney Beth Wilkinson in 2020 to review the workplace culture. The NFL eventually took over the investigation, which determined the team's workplace environment fostered sexual harassment, bullying and more misconduct.

While a written report was never released, Snyder was forced to give up control of day-to-day operations to his wife, Tanya, and the team was fined $10 million.

Van Natta, Seth Wickersham and Tisha Thompson reported last month that Snyder "will never accept" being forced to sell the team and remains "paranoid" that those around the league will break non-disclosure agreements and reveal additional information about him.

The report included allegations of blackmail with Snyder apparently gathering information to potentially "blow up" fellow team owners and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Yet the Commanders released a statement Wednesday suggesting the team, or at least a portion of it, could be for sale. The announcement said the Snyders retained BofA Securities to "consider potential transactions."

The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia has announced that a 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with an August 28 attempted robbery in which Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson was shot twice in his right leg during an attempted robbery.

The boy, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, was arrested and charged with assault with intent to rob while armed (gun).

MPD announces an arrest in an Assault With Intent to Rob while Armed (Gun) offense that occurred on 8/28/22, in the 1000 blk of H St, NE.

Thanks for all who assisted in making DC safer with this arrest!

Release: https://t.co/7ubF5D6xWD

Video: https://t.co/v1l0gQtxA0 pic.twitter.com/rPD3ULyIKv

— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) November 2, 2022

The Metropolitan Police Department did not specifically mention Robinson by name, but Mike Garafolo of NFL Network confirmed that the arrest was in response to the attempted robbery of the first-year back.

Sources say the investigation is ongoing and we know there was more than one suspect. But the arrest is progress and was done with the help of the ATF, which assisted in the evidentiary process. An agent from the ATF will join MPD chief Robert J. Contee III at the presser.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 2, 2022

From @DCPoliceDept on the arrest of a juvenile (16 at the time) in the shooting of #Commanders RB Brian Robinson. A frustratingly sad story on so many levels, though thankfully and luckily Robinson is OK. https://t.co/IpMxV3YOpq

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 2, 2022

Per the news release, the shooting remains under investigation. Of note, the police are also seeking a second person of interest, who was captured on video.

Per Kayla Morton of CBS 17, the police department is offering a $10,000 reward for anyone with information regarding the second suspect.

Robinson suffered "non-life-threatening injuries," per a Commanders' statement updating his condition soon after the attempted robbery.

Remarkably, Robinson missed just four regular-season games before making his NFL debut on Oct. 9 against the Tennessee Titans. He has amassed 188 total yards and one touchdown through four games.

The Washington Commanders could be for sale, though it's unclear if the entire franchise is on the market or if a portion would be sold to a minority investor.

Team owners Dan and Tanya Snyder announced Wednesday they have retained BofA Securities to "consider potential transactions."

Statement from the Commanders says they're considering "potential transactions" pic.twitter.com/2kzruHjw3I

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) November 2, 2022

Per Mike Ozanian of Forbes, at least four groups have expressed interest in buying the team.

Ozanian noted Dan Snyder and his bankers "are exploring all options and a transaction could be for the entire NFL team or a minority stake."

Snyder's ownership has been marred by his longtime refusal to change the franchise's previous nickname, which many considered a racial slur, and multiple investigations into allegations of workplace misconduct.

The United States House Committee on Oversight is investigating the Commanders' history of alleged workplace misconduct and sexual harassment. Snyder and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell testified before the committee over the summer.

The NFL is also conducting an investigation, led by former U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White, though, as of Oct. 27, Snyder hadn't been interviewed.

The Washington franchise hired attorney Beth Wilkinson to review organizational protocols and examine its past workplace culture in July 2020. The league took over the investigation, still led by Wilkinson, the following month.

The NFL announced Wilkinson completed her review in July 2021, finding the franchise had fostered a work environment where sexual harassment, bullying and verbal abuse were tolerated, but a full report of the investigation was not made public. As a result of the investigation's findings, the team was fined $10 million and Tanya Snyder took over the day-to-day operation of the team.

Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press noted last week that the league has promised to release a written report of the findings from White's investigation.

Per Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, lawyers for the Commanders sent a nine-page letter to the House Oversight Committee last month raising "concerns" about the committee's work and process.

Tom Davis, a former representative from Virginia, alleged in the letter the committee's "singular purpose" was to "destroy Dan Snyder and his family and attempt, with deception, innuendo and half-truths, to drive him from the National Football League."

Amid the investigations and questions about Snyder's long-term viability as an owner, ESPN's Seth Wickersham, Don Van Natta Jr. and Tisha Thompson reported last month the 57-year-old told a close associate he has enough secrets to "blow up" several other NFL team owners, the league office and Goodell.

"They can't f--k with me," Snyder has said privately, per Wickersham, Van Natta and Thompson.

Jim Irsay of the Indianapolis Colts told Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post on Friday that he thinks there is "merit to consider removal" of Snyder as Commanders owner.

If the NFL held a vote on removing Snyder, at least 24 owners would have to vote in favor.

Commanders fans have voiced their displeasure with the state of the franchise. They booed Tanya Snyder and chanted "sell the team" when she was shown on the videoboard during an Oct. 23 game against the Green Bay Packers at FedEx Field.

Dan and Tanya Snyder purchased the Washington NFL franchise in 1999 for a then-record price of $800 million.

After coming into the season with questions about his long-term viability as a starting quarterback, Jalen Hurts finds himself in prime position to get a lucrative contract extension from the Philadelphia Eagles.

ESPN's Dan Graziano suggests the "floor" for Hurts' next deal has to be Kyler Murray's five-year, $230.5 million contract he signed with the Arizona Cardinals in July.

In addition to the total value, Murray's extension also included a $29 million signing bonus and $189.5 million guaranteed.

Hurts has one year remaining on his rookie contract, but he will be eligible to sign an extension after this season.

When the Eagles made their deal to acquire A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans during the 2022 NFL draft, one prevailing idea that came from it was the front office taking away any potential excuses for Hurts' development as a passer.

In his first full season as the starter in 2021, Hurts was fine throwing the ball. He finished with 3,144 yards, 16 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 61.3 completion percentage. The Oklahoma alum was excellent running the ball, racking up 784 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Per Pro Football Focus' Kevin Cole, Hurts was below average on late-down dropbacks. He also left a poor taste in the mouth of Eagles fans by playing his worst game of the season in a 31-15 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card Game.

Hurts went 23-of-43 for 258 yards with one touchdown and two picks in the postseason game.

The combination of Brown, further development from second-year wideout DeVonta Smith and playing behind the best offensive line in the NFL has helped unlock new aspects of Hurts' game.

Through eight weeks this season, Hurts is averaging 257.0 passing yards per game with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. His rushing efficiency has decreased (3.8 yards per attempt), but that's offset by how much better he's throwing the ball.

Only Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Geno Smith have more total expected points added in low-leverage plays than Hurts' 40.7 this season.

There's certainly some risk still attached to giving Hurts a massive extension. The Eagles have arguably the NFL's best roster, so what happens when those circumstances change?

It wasn't that long ago when Eagles fans thought Carson Wentz was a franchise quarterback because the 2017 roster was possibly the best in the NFL.

Hurts certainly looks better now than Wentz did for most of his tenure in Philadelphia, but any long-term quarterback deal carries significant risk.

Ultimately, it's hard to argue that Hurts hasn't done enough to warrant being Philadelphia's starting quarterback for many years to come.

The Dallas Cowboys failed to add a wide receiver at Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, but it wasn't for a lack of trying.

The Cowboys and Houston Texans engaged in discussions on a deal for Brandin Cooks "until the final minutes" before the deadline, per ESPN's Ed Werder. However, the trade couldn't get over the finish line before the clock struck 4 p.m. ET due to a disagreement on draft compensation and Cooks' $18 million guaranteed salary for 2023.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Oct. 30 that the Texans were open to trading Cooks at the deadline and were listening to offers for the veteran. In addition to the Cowboys, the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams were considered possible trade partners.

Cooks missed Tuesday's practice, which led to speculation about his status with the franchise, but Texans head coach Lovie Smith told reporters he was excused from practice for "personal reasons."

The 29-year-old doesn't appear to be happy that he wasn't moved, either, tweeting shortly after the deadline:

Don’t take a man’s kindness for granted. Covered for the lies for too long those days are done. Crossed the line with playing with my career 🏹

— Brandin Cooks (@brandincooks) November 1, 2022

Cooks would have been a great depth addition to the Dallas offense. In seven games this season, he has caught 32 passes for 354 yards, both team-leading marks, and one touchdown.

Through his nine-year NFL career, the Oregon State product has six 1,000-plus-receiving-yard seasons, including a 1,037-yard 2021 campaign.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, are led by CeeDee Lamb, who has caught 42 passes for 556 yards and three touchdowns in eight games in 2022. Beyond Lamb, Dallas' wideout group has been unimpressive.

Fifth-year receiver Noah Brown ranks second on the team with 25 catches for 339 yards and one touchdown in seven games, while Michael Gallup has caught 12 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown in five games.

Simi Fehoko and Jalen Tolbert round out Dallas' receiving group, and they have combined for four catches for 28 yards. Fehoko has appeared in five games, and Tolbert has appeared in four games.

While the Cowboys are 6-2 on the season, adding another target for star quarterback Dak Prescott would have put the franchise in better position to compete with the 7-0 Philadelphia Eagles for the top spot in the NFC East.

Free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is still available for teams in need of an upgrade on offense, and the team he began his career with is open to a potential reunion.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen told reporters on Tuesday that Beckham "is a player he’d be interested in considering" when he's recovered from the torn ACL suffered in Super Bowl LVI. The Giants drafted Beckham in the first round in 2014, and he went on to be named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year that season.

During his five seasons in New York, Beckham was selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014 to 2016 and he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2015 and 2016. He surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in four out of his five years with the team, the lone outlier being when he suffered a fractured ankle in 2017.

Beckham was traded from the Giants to the Cleveland Browns prior to the 2019 season. While he had a solid first year in Cleveland, his career took a turn when he suffered a torn ACL in 2020. He was waived by the Browns last November after forcing his way off the team, and he signed with the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent. The 29-year-old went on to help the Rams win their second Super Bowl title in franchise history.

The Giants certainly could use another playmaker on the outside. Fourth-year wideout Darius Slayton leads the team with 232 receiving yards, but it's star running back Saquon Barkley who gets most of the attention as he ranks first on the team with 28 receptions and 35 targets.

New York lost veteran receiver Sterling Shepard to a torn ACL in Week 3, and his 154 receiving yards still rank fourth on the team through eight weeks. The team also shipped 2021 first-round pick Kadarius Toney to the Kansas City Chiefs. Sixth-year receiver Kenny Golladay, the team's prized free-agent acquisition last year, hasn't played since Week 4 after becoming a total non-factor within the Giants offense.

Despite their lack of production from the receiver position, the Giants are one of the best teams in the NFC with a 6-2 record. New York is on a bye this week before returning to action on Nov. 13 against the Houston Texans.

The 2022 NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and the Dallas Cowboys failed to make a splash.

The Cowboys acquired defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins from the Las Vegas Raiders last week to bolster their defensive line depth, but Tuesday's deadline was ultimately a disappointment. They failed to make upgrades in other areas, including at wide receiver.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told Mike Fisher of Cowboys Country on Sunday that he would "pull the trigger [if the right deal presents itself]" and that he was "not afraid" of taking a risk. But with nothing to show at Tuesday's deadline, fans are lashing out at the longtime Cowboys owner on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/nolimit_swagy2x/status/1587532074394722304

I thought Jerry Jones said the @dallascowboys were going to do something before the deadline today? I guess he's just like his team and all cowboys fans, all talk. #NFLTradeDeadline

— Cody Hall (@CNHall212) November 1, 2022

https://twitter.com/blakenastyy/status/1587532810910371844

Thank you Jerry Jones and Dallas Cowboys pic.twitter.com/xXltiOU4fy

— Patrick Cox (@TexasMetroPlex) November 1, 2022

Hell Clarence I could have told you that last week!! Jerry Jones is full of it, he just wanted to be talked about and he needs attention https://t.co/VIj39RONeo

— F. Lamar (@Lamar7124) November 1, 2022

LMFAO Jerry Jones is the absolute worst https://t.co/eTjAvFSbWG

— cursed (@PlsCursed) November 1, 2022

Once again, another trade deadline of Jerry Jones saying”the Cowboys are interested” and “the Cowboys have had major trade talks” and get…. Nothing. Be rn with all the success this year, something tells me it’s gonna be wasted.

— Gators For Life🐊 (@GatorsRule83) November 1, 2022

Jerry Jones at the trade deadline pic.twitter.com/rOcrgZ9krs

— dr. robby devotee🇵🇸 (@SnackPr0tein) November 1, 2022

Yeah @dallascowboys Jerry Jones, or Stephen Jones are not serious about winning a Super Bowl. It may be time for all of us to start looking for another team!

— ChristopherDale (@Cward_official) November 1, 2022

https://twitter.com/quedamuzik/status/1587536686367608834

Denver Broncos wideout Jerry Jeudy, Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks and Carolina Panthers receiver DJ Moore were among the options whom the Cowboys might have pursued at the trade deadline. Any one of them would have been a nice upgrade, but Dallas will instead roll into the second half without any additions out wide.

CeeDee Lamb leads the team with 42 catches for 556 and three touchdowns, while Noah Brown ranks second with 25 catches for 339 yards and one score. Michael Gallup, Simi Fehoko and and Jalen Tolbert make up the rest of the wideout unit.

The Cowboys are 6-2, but it's hard to imagine them competing with the 7-0 Philadelphia Eagles for first place in the NFC East after failing to upgrade their receiving corps.

The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired cornerback William Jackson III from the Washington Commanders ahead of the 2022 NFL trade deadline on Tuesday.

Here are the full terms of the trade:

• Steelers get: CB WIlliam Jackson III, conditional 2025 seventh-round pick
• Commanders get: conditional 2025 sixth-round pick

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network initially reported a deal was being finalized.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported earlier Tuesday that Washington was expected to release Jackson if no trade was completed.

Jackson is in the second year of the three-year, $40.5 million contract he signed with Washington in 2021.

The 2016 first-round pick has been limited to four appearances this season because of a back injury. The Houston product has recorded 16 tackles along with two pass breakups.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero reported Oct. 13 that Jackson was looking to land with another team, "preferably with a scheme that he believes better fits him."

Ultimately, the team decided to move on as well.

Coming into the 2022 season, Pro Football Focus' Anthony Treash ranked Jackson as the No. 24 outside corner, putting him in the "good players with boom-or-bust tendencies" tier. The 6'0" defensive back didn't play up to expectations in 2021, and the back injury has limited his availability this year.

As a result, the secondary has been a mixed bag.

Although Washington is allowing just 214.0 passing yards per game to rank 16th in the NFL, its 99.2 opponent passer rating is the fifth-worst. The Commanders have also allowed 14 touchdown passes, which is tied for the fourth-most.

Jackson joins a Steelers squad that is 2-6 and sits in last place in the AFC North. The Jackson deal comes on the heels of Pittsburgh reportedly trading receiver Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the team's trade talks could get "feverish" in the final hours before Tuesday's 2022 NFL trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET.

Jones confirmed on 105.3 The Fan that the Cowboys have "some things we're entertaining" but tempered expectations about whether any deals actually get done.

"Better chance of nothing happening than of something happening," Jones said. "... I'm standing by the track, and when the train comes by, I'm ready to hit that caboose and not let it get by me. I can grab that caboose in the next few hours."

The Cowboys are in a solid position as the regular season gets set to pass the halfway mark.

Their 6-2 record ranks second in the NFC East behind the Philadelphia Eagles (7-0) and was built despite starting quarterback Dak Prescott missing four games with a thumb injury. They're also two games clear of the conference's playoff cut line, which stands at 4-4.

So it isn't a situation where Dallas must make a trade Tuesday to establish itself as a contender, but it sounds like Jones is at least surveying the market for possible upgrades.

"We are evaluating the fit," the franchise's longtime owner told Mike Fisher of Sports Illustrated on Sunday. "I promise you, I will pull the trigger [if the right deal presents itself]. I've told you I'm still a wild-catter. I'm still a risk-taker. We are not afraid of taking that risk."

Wide receiver is the position most commonly named when talking about a potential Cowboys trade.

CeeDee Lamb continues to establish himself as a No. 1 NFL receiver, but Michael Gallup has struggled to make a consistent impact since returning from a torn ACL, and James Washington has yet to play this season because of a foot injury.

An NFL Network report listed the Denver Broncos' Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, New England Patriots' Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor, Houston Texans' Brandin Cooks and Pittsburgh Steelers' Chase Claypool among the wideouts who could be moved.

At least three of those options—Jeudy, Cooks and Claypool—would seem like ideal targets for the Cowboys, especially since the position will remain a need even if Washington returns soon given Gallup's lackluster production.

None of those potential trade targets will come cheap, however, and Jones told Fisher it would take the right type of deal to move future draft picks.

"We don't have an area on our team that makes me desperate," Jones said. "But I'm willing to do it, and I'll give up future currency to get it done.''

It's possible the Cowboys pass on the trade options and instead make a push for free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. once he's ready to return for a torn ACL suffered in February's Super Bowl.

If Dallas does make a move before the deadline, the new arrival will have some extra time to prepare for his debut since the team is on a bye this week.

The Cowboys return to action Nov. 13 when they visit Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers.

The New York Giants dropped to 6-2 on the season with an 27-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon at Lumen Field, and the offense did not perform well.

Quarterback Daniel Jones completed 17 of 31 passes for 176 yards and no touchdowns. Darius Slayton led Giants receivers with five catches for 66 yards, while running back Saquon Barkley finished with 20 carries for 53 yards and one score.

The team's poor rushing performance was quite surprising, especially because it ranks second in the NFL averaging 173.4 yards per game, per ESPN.

With the offense sputtering, it's clear the Giants need to add another wide receiver at the deadline, or the offense's struggles moving the ball may only continue. That said, the team's offense was bashed by NFL Twitter following Sunday's loss:

I can’t even have an ounce of complaining with the Giants at 6-2 at bye. I’m ecstatic. But I do hope today showed FO that even in rebuilding and unexpected success, they need to go find a WR at deadline. Defenses know it’s Saquon/Jones runs or bust. They need another option.

— Will Manso (@WillManso) October 30, 2022

https://twitter.com/Brandon_Warne/status/1586857135790604288

There's the Giants that ruin my Sundays.

— Ryan Gaydos (@Gaydos_) October 30, 2022

Giants can take the bye week to get healthier, find a new punt returner, and find a wide receiver option or two

They got absolutely kneecapped by Richie James today. Just a damn shame

— Danny Abriano (@DannyAbriano) October 30, 2022

Game over. Giants have no offense.

— Jason Huber (@_JasonHuber) October 30, 2022

Win or lose, let this #Giants game be a clear message to brass: they need another receiver.

With Seattle doing a great job containing DJ’s scrambles, this offense looks stale.

— Andreas Stavropoulos (@DreStav) October 30, 2022

Giants need to go get a wideout for Daniel Jones man.

— Zion (@ZionOlojede) October 30, 2022

Welp, Giants are losing this game. Pathetic offensive game.

— Jason Huber (@_JasonHuber) October 30, 2022

#Giants defense can't have much confidence in the offense right now, despite the 6-2 record. What a horrendous performance in Seattle.

— A.J. Katz (@ajkatztv) October 30, 2022

I'll learn a lot more after watching the tape (and we'll break it down on the YouTube page), but on surface it's odd to me the #Giants offense struggled THIS much considering the opponent.
The Seahawks defense has struggled this year (though better recently) so I expected more.

— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) October 30, 2022

Give Geno credit. Dude continues to play really well. The James fumbles were killer, but the Giant offense was pathetic today. Getting a WR at the deadline is paramount.

— Tommy Lugauer (@tommylugauer) October 30, 2022

Just an ugly performance by the Giants today. The defense did all it could, but the stagnant offense and disastrous special teams was too much to overcome.

— Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony_Rivardo) October 30, 2022

New York undoubtedly needs an upgrade from Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson and David Sills V at wide receiver. Robinson had two catches for 15 yards Sunday, while Sills had one catch for five yards.

If the Giants can add a couple of more pieces around Daniel Jones before the Tuesday deadline, there's no doubt they will be able to contend for a playoff spot.

The Giants enter their bye week with a 6-2 record. They'll be back in action against the Houston Texans on Nov. 13.