Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys win the NFC East by beating the Commanders 38-10
Dak Prescott threw two of his four touchdown passes to CeeDee Lamb and the Dallas Cowboys won the NFC East and secured the No. 2 seed in the conference by closing the regular season with a 38-10 victory over the Washington Commanders.
Panthers owner David Tepper defends lack of patience, decision to draft Bryce Young No. 1 overall
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper has defended his perceived lack of patience after firing Frank Reich 11 games into his first season, and defended the teamโs decision to draft Bryce Young No. 1 overall.
House Oversight Committee member asks chairman to refer Dan Snyder to the DOJ for investigation
The ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform is asking the Republican chair in charge to refer former Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder to the Department of Justice for lying under oath.
Chiefs say new Commanders coordinator Eric Bieniemy's intense style will pay off eventually
Many of the Kansas City Chiefs have rushed to the defense of their former offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, after word came out that some of the Washington Commanders were concerned about the intensity he has brought to their team.
Former Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio fined $100,000 by Commanders for โdustupโ comments
Ex-Jaguars coach and current Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio was fined $100,000 by the team on Friday after his comments earlier in the week about the aftermath of the George Floyd protests and the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Ex-Jags coach Jack Del Rio defends comparing Floyd protests to Capitol riots
Washington Commanders assistant coach Jack Del Rio issued an apology for his word choice after doubling down on a comparison he made on social media between the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and the protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd.
![49ers hand Trent Williams richest contract ever at OL](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/VmVGMvUntSf6H_QY-R452LDt9T0=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YCADLC72CFEFHDNFAOISWL3DUA.jpg)
49ers hand Trent Williams richest contract ever at OL
FILE - San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, file photo. The San Francisco 49ers locked up their biggest potential free agent for the long term by agreeing to give star left tackle Trent Williams the richest contract ever for an offensive lineman. (AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart, File)SANTA CLARA, Calif. โ The San Francisco 49ers locked up their biggest potential free agent for the long term by agreeing to give star left tackle Trent Williams the richest contract ever for an offensive lineman. โTrentโs a game changer,โ said fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who signed a five-year contract to stay in San Francisco earlier in the week. Williams was graded as the top left tackle by Pro Football Focus and is now being paid that way as well.
![AP source: Washington signing QB Fitzpatrick, CB Jackson](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/RttUeH19Q2xwwULbY-uZQjhvrSY=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZYEK4653X5G5FAHW2CVEWFEL7U.jpg)
AP source: Washington signing QB Fitzpatrick, CB Jackson
Ryan Fitzpatrick has agreed to sign a one-year deal with Washington, according to a person with direct knowledge of the move. Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and cornerback William Jackson have agreed to sign with the Washington Football Team, according to a person with direct knowledge of the moves. The team now has Fitzpatrick, journeyman-turned-playoff standout Taylor Heinicke and coach Ron Rivera favorite Kyle Allen under contract at quarterback. AdJackson, 28, joins Washington after four seasons with the Bengals during which he recorded three interceptions in 59 games, including 48 starts. He replaces Ronald Darby, who left Washington after one season to sign a $30 million, three-year deal with the Denver Broncos.
![Washington releases Comeback Player of the Year Alex Smith](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/i-RHsOGOCYEz4OyUR1e4NgpOEQ8=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RYJ3WNPOC5DS7BSJOJ5E6E2H64.jpg)
Washington releases Comeback Player of the Year Alex Smith
FILE - Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, in this Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, file photo. Washington has informed Alex Smith the team is releasing the veteran quarterback, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision. The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year hopes to continue playing next season at age 37. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)Washington released AP Comeback Player of the Year Alex Smith on Friday, a move that was expected but still provides a cold ending to the veteran quarterback's storybook tenure with the organization. Smith has thrown for 199 touchdowns, 109 interceptions and 35,650 yards in 14 NFL seasons for San Francisco, Kansas City and Washington.
![QB Heinicke re-signs with Washington for $8.75M over 2 years](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/fHP5jYKExCK8elZxOTcqTAVvy3E=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/LJK6FIM5SBBBLI7Z3USTPWU7RA.jpg)
QB Heinicke re-signs with Washington for $8.75M over 2 years
Washington re-signed quarterback Taylor Heinicke to an $8.75 million, two-year contract, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. โI think thatโs the best way to do it. I think thatโs best for everybody.โWashington could also trade for or sign a veteran to compete with Heinicke and Allen or use the No. AdโThat dude plays with no fear, and heโs going to give his playmakers a chance to make plays,โ receiver Terry McLaurin said. โHeโs going to extend plays, run and take hits.
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More interviews didnโt equal more minority hirings in NFL
(AP Photo)The NFL expanded the Rooney Rule to give more minority candidates opportunities to become a head coach and reward teams who develop them. The Houston Texans hired David Culley this week, making the 65-year-old longtime assistant the leagueโs third Black head coach hired. Culley and Saleh join Pittsburghโs Mike Tomlin, Miamiโs Brian Flores and Washingtonโs Ron Rivera as the leagueโs only minority head coaches. โWe didnโt make as much progress on the head coaching side as we would have liked,โ Rooney said. AdPerhaps an increase in minority executives will lead to more minority head coaches.
![Washington's King 1st Black female assistant position coach](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/ptnpiI6Oy9MgIYFw3QezttnkpRo=/1600x1068/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/O7K4YQ36L5CWBPR6K33QLNLXJU.jpg)
Washington's King 1st Black female assistant position coach
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)Washington promoted Jennifer King to assistant running backs coach Tuesday, making her the first Black female assistant position coach in the NFL. She is the second woman in league history to be an assistant position coach after Tampa Bayโs assistant defensive line coach Lori Locust. King spent the 2020 season as a full-year coaching intern under Ron Rivera and worked with running backs coach Randy Jordan. โI am very pleased to have coach King back to assist me full time in the running backs room,โ Jordan said. Tampa Bay had two: Locust and assistant strength and conditioning coach Maral Javadifar, and coach Bruce Arians called women in coaching โthe wave of the future.โโThis game, itโs a tremendous game,โ Rivera said.
![Washington hires Martin Mayhew as general manager](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/odyDuNxpZ4Y29piwDMD8nQLIhT0=/1600x1116/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/IT5C2YXDYFFTZLMFU53KX6BB6Y.jpg)
Washington hires Martin Mayhew as general manager
FILE - In this March 11, 2015, file photo, then-Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew speaks during a news conference in Allen Park, Mich. Washington has hired Martin Mayhew to be its new general manager. The hiring of Mayhew makes Washington the only team in the NFL with a Black team president and GM. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)Ron Rivera bulked up his front office Friday, hiring Martin Mayhew to be Washington's general manager and Marty Hurney to serve as executive vice president of football and player personnel. Mayhew joins Washington after four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Marty has a proven track record as a successful scout and general manager and will be a vital part of shaping our roster."
![Brady outduels Heinicke, leads Buccaneers past Washington](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/cEOAYC1B6XWClr8EOFi0sfS1Sj8=/1600x1068/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3DEWF23CEJFRFF6XR2AEQFIEWY.jpg)
Brady outduels Heinicke, leads Buccaneers past Washington
Brady threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers past Washington 31-23 in their NFC wild-card game Saturday night for their first playoff victory since the 2002 season. Brady was critical of his play and the offense's performance in the red zone but relished picking up his 31st career postseason win. โCertainly a lot to improve on, but great to get a win,โ said Brady, who was 22 of 40 passing. โWeโre thrilled with the win,โ Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate said. In his only other game at Washington in 2016 with Pittsburgh, he had eight catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
![Rodgers leads Pack to top of NFC after draft disappointment](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/m7EpwS7q34iIJuwv7M5AO0fw7Vo=/1600x1065/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WMBWFVQ5C5BNXH4QTT4NLDMSAA.jpg)
Rodgers leads Pack to top of NFC after draft disappointment
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)The NFC playoff field features the usual cast of quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 45, 31-25 over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Feb. 6, 2011, at Arlington, Texas. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 48, 43-8 over the Denver Broncos on Feb. 2, 2014, at East Rutherford, N.J. Last year: No. The Bearsโ leading tackler left in the first quarter of the Green Bay game with an elbow injury. DBs Buster Skrine, rookie Jaylon Johnson and Deon Bush missed the loss to Green Bay.
![Mr. Smith goes to Washington, takes another team to playoffs](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/VKjd8K9zfB0y-M9o9XSVqPXJ97I=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3KWAYOM7MRD6TPJHZZMZVBMLH4.jpg)
Mr. Smith goes to Washington, takes another team to playoffs
Washington Football Team's Alex Smith plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. Alex Smith is the biggest reason Washington became the first team in the Super Bowl era to start 2-7 and make the playoffs. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)If the Alex Smith story becomes a movie, Alex Smith doesn't want to see it. โWhen Alex Smith plays quarterback, theyโre a heck of a football team,โ Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said. "Theyโre an extremely well-coached team, a ton of talent on that defensive front, but Alex Smith is really the key to everything.โHow is that possible?
![Washington beats the Eagles 20-14, captures NFC East title](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/FlkFOAUajSsgVZK3IO5eUSRAZSs=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WFDBRHUCCBDZLEC2GON7YMJVCM.jpg)
Washington beats the Eagles 20-14, captures NFC East title
Washington Football Team's Logan Thomas (82) catches a touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles' T.J. Edwards (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes and Washington beat the Philadelphia Eagles 20-14 Sunday night to capture the lowly NFC East. Washington opened the season with a 27-17 victory over the Eagles. Dwayne Haskins started that game for Washington and Carson Wentz for Philadelphia. Eagles: They face difficult decisions in the offseason, including figuring out which quarterback they plan to build around for 2021.
![New final exam: Heinicke pauses school to QB for Washington](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/rMpJ_8_wmMK_h1lS8foKfI9tsQc=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/MHB3ARUWEBA7XI2SBUZB5BAVXY.jpg)
New final exam: Heinicke pauses school to QB for Washington
Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke scrambles during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)Taylor Heinicke had math, not football, on his mind this fall. His course load: Mathematics in Nature, Number Theory and Discrete Mathematics, Applied Numerical Methods and Partial Differential Equations. โItโs somewhat unique to get incompletes because he had to join the football team,โ said Melrose, who taught Heinicke Calculus III several years ago. Rivera didn't hesitate when asked if he thought Heinicke could handle it, which adds up given his experience.
![Washington releases 2019 1st-round pick Dwayne Haskins](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/JZ_Xk8JTvWkXsdBO6ftqMhCF6FQ=/1600x1068/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/GCGJTVI2NJEK7OJSWDYQHGFKWI.jpg)
Washington releases 2019 1st-round pick Dwayne Haskins
Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) walking on the field before the start of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Landover, Md. Haskins started in place of injured quarterback Alex Smith despite being disciplined for breaking COVID-19 rules by partying with several people without a mask. โMy time with the WFT has unfortunately come to an end,โ Haskins tweeted. โI thank the team & fans for the opportunity to play for the team I grew up rooting for. The team's last first-round QB bust, Robert Griffin III, tweeted Monday: โWishing the best for (Haskins).
![Odd became normal: sportsโ masked road trip to the unknown](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/vEv43YF0DJUnsGPaTqjH-XatL30=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BV5OBKVPJVD5TOALO5JIG7XXPU.jpg)
Odd became normal: sportsโ masked road trip to the unknown
FILE - Cardboard cutouts rest in seats at Oracle Park as the San Francisco Giants play the San Diego Padres during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, in this Wednesday, July 29, 2020, file photo. What wasnโt odd in 2020, when the coronavirus was the commissioner of all sports? And, before long, the odd became the new normal. Masked coaches patrolled the sidelines looking as if they had been lifted from the set of a cheesy cops-and-robbers movie. But with no fans in the park -- in Oakland and San Francisco -- and plenty of balls landing in the seats, AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley had an idea.
![Washington beaten by Panthers, fails to clinch NFC East](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/7ExbtpDnUVAU_T0XKgmmB8h50oY=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZJMJ5ITTMNCJLCAF2AEIVNA4IY.jpg)
Washington beaten by Panthers, fails to clinch NFC East
Haskins' failed second chance coupled with a special teams blunder and defensive miscues added up to Washington blowing its first chance to clinch the NFC East by losing to the Carolina Panthers 20-13 on Sunday. With Christian McCaffrey out again, Curtis Samuel had five catches for 106 yards and was the Panthers' leading rusher with 52 yards on seven carries. 2 pick forced Bridgewater to fumble on a sack in Washington territory early in the third quarter to prevent Carolina from putting up even more points. Washington: Played without top WR Terry McLaurin, who couldn't keep gutting through a nagging ankle injury. Washington: Gets another chance to win the NFC East next Sunday at Philadelphia.
![A bonus for NFL fans in Week 16: 4 straight days of games](https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/jQ64UFXubvQ6FFlkoUgFN7QCczM=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DY3QIZFJBNA2ZLWICNCFGAGCDY.jpg)
A bonus for NFL fans in Week 16: 4 straight days of games
They do have a sack in an NFL-record 71 straight games and have sacked Philip Rivers 15 times during seven games while he played for the Chargers. Rivers has had two or more TD passes in five straight games. He had career bests of 10 catches for 163 yards last week, and Ridley's seven 100-yard games lead the NFL. The 19 straight seasons without losing both games to a divisional opponent is an NFL record. The Jaguars have allowed at least 24 points in each of those 13 games, an NFL record.