Veteran Safety Will Harris And Senior Bowl Standout Bud Clark Are Names For Commanders Fans To Track This Offseason

FORT WORTH, TX - SEPTEMBER 13: TCU Horned Frogs safety Bud Clark (21) returns a fumble that gets called back during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Abilene Christian Wildcats on September 13, 2025 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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More defensive staff shakeup for Washington Commanders

News broke on Saturday that several defensive coaches are expected to depart with assistant linebackers coach Ryan Kerrigan, assistant defensive line coach Sharrif Floyd and player development coach Pete Ohnegian all expected to depart the organization. Defensive pass game coordinator Jason Simmons, who is reported to take a “prominent” role elsewhere, was also reported as another not expected to return to Washington in 2026.

It marks the latest shakeup for head coach Dan Quinn with now both coordinator roles filled earlier this week. While assistant Anthony Lynn materialized into a head coaching candidate for two teams, whether another departure on the offensive side of the ball materializes after passing game coordinator Brian Johnson drew an offensive coordinator interview. JP Finlay of NBC also noted more changes could be on the way with still much undecided in the positions under both David Blough and Daronte Jones.

Washington has reportedly filled four positions under the coordinators so far this offseason with DJ Williams and Danny Etling joining as quarterbacks and assistant quarterbacks coach, while the team made a pair of internal moves to fill the offensive line and assistant offensive line coaching positions in 2026.

Reports surfaced earlier in the week that head coach Dan Quinn was likely to hire a coach “to oversee the front seven” after general manager Adam Peters noted that adding a pass rusher is a focus during his end of season press conference.

A to Z Sports

The Commanders needed an upgrade in the secondary, regardless

The secondary was a huge weakness for the Commanders last season, and they allowed the fifth-most passing yards at 242 yards per game. We also saw younger players like Mike Sainristil take a major step back in his second season, and he needs to continue his development under sound coaching. Jones’ scheme is unique, and a lot of it goes through the secondary with zone and match concepts, blitzes from the secondary, and defensive backs playing multiple roles.

The Commanders need to add more talent in the secondary, especially at safety, but getting the most out of Sainristil and Trey Amos is just as important. Safety Will Harris will also likely be a strong fit in the system with his ability to play safety and nickel, and don’t be surprised if Caleb Downs is at the top of the NFL board with his ability to be a leader at multiple positions on defense, and a sure blue-chip prospect.

A to Z Sports

Several prospects had a standout day three at the 2026 Senior Bowl, led by Bud Clark, Owen Heinecke, Barion Brown, and Tanner Koziol

General manager Adam Peters only has six picks to work with in the draft this year, so he has to maximize every single one of them with a roster that needs help. There are a handful of underdogs who made a name for themselves on the third and final day of the Senior Bowl that the Commanders need to target.

Bud Clark, Safety, TCU

Bud Clark is a very experienced safety with over 2,400 snaps at TCU, and it’s something the Commanders would love in Daronte Jones’ defense. Clark flashed on the field and showed his ball skills at the Senior Bowl. He had 14 interceptions over the last four years, and four in 2025. There were multiple plays on the day where he showed his coverage ability, and he dropped back over the top for an interception. He also had a pass breakup to save a touchdown in a one-on-one drill. Clark was one of the most impressive defensive players all week long, but really won on day three.

ELITE SPEED: Safety Bud Clark SHINES in front of Washington Commanders in Mobile at Senior Bowl

Riggo’s Rag

Commanders may not need Will Harris in Daronte Jones’ defensive scheme

Alex Ballentine of The Bleacher Report thought veteran safety Will Harris could be on the chopping block after an underwhelming first season in Washington. The analyst cited his limited coverage capabilities as a primary reason he could be released with one year remaining on his deal, and the logic is hard to dispute.

“Will Harris is another Commanders defender whose best days might be behind him. Just about everyone in the secondary should be on high alert after the Commanders finished in the bottom five of passer rating allowed. That includes 30-year-old Will Harris who gave up a 117.1 passer rating when targeted this season.”Alex Ballentine

Getting injured early in the campaign dented Harris’s impact. He struggled to find his feet upon returning to the lineup, which made the Commanders’ decision to let Jeremy Chinn leave for the Las Vegas Raiders even worse. Jones needs athletic, explosive safeties to operate within what’s expected to be a creative and aggressive system, which could leave last year’s free-agent signing on the outside looking in.

Cutting Harris would save $3.76 million on Washington’s salary cap with $1 million in dead money. The financial ramifications don’t matter much, so this is about how Jones views the player and whether he can handle the increased demands of his defensive schematics.

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Bleeding Green Nation

11 more thoughts on the Eagles hiring Sean Mannion as their new offensive coordinator

Speaking of, the 2026 offseason is a big one for Howie Roseman as it relates to re-shaping this offense. Will A.J. Brown be traded? If so, who’s added to help replace him? Is Lane Johnson going to retire? If so, who’s his replacement? Do the Eagles let Dallas Goedert walk in free agency with no obvious successor in place? What’s the plan with Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens, just hope that they get healthy and play much better next season? There’s a lot for the Eagles to figure out in order to put Mannion in the best possible position to succeed.

I wonder if the Eagles will add a more senior offensive coach (or two) to the staff. They’ve already hired Josh Grizzard, who has one season of play-calling experience, to accompany Mannion as the Eagles’ new pass game coordinator. Will they add more? The Eagles reportedly showed interest in Matt Nagy for their offensive coordinator opening and he’s still currently unemployed.

The possibility of a “too many cooks in the kitchen” dynamic is on my radar. The Eagles struggled with blurred lines of power in 2020 with a disjointed collaborative effort among Doug Pederson/Press Taylor/Rich Scangarello/Marty Mornhinweg. I’m not saying this 2026 setup is identical. Maybe it won’t be an issue. Maybe hiring multiple offensive assistant could be good! But I think it’s something to monitor.

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ESPN

Regulators OK ESPN’s deal for NFL Network, RedZone rights from NFL

ESPN’s purchase of NFL Network and other league digital assets has been finalized after government regulators approved the transaction.

The league and ESPN officially announced the closing of the deal Saturday night after the Justice Department and other non-US antitrust authorities completed their reviews.

ESPN acquired NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the rights to distribute the RedZone channel to cable and satellite operators, and the league will get a 10% equity stake in ESPN.

From NFL.com:

• NFL Network, including both linear and digital rights, would be owned and operated by ESPN and fully integrated into ESPN DTC, alongside traditional pay television distribution, increasing accessibility and flexibility for consumers and promoting innovation in sports programming.

• ESPN would own broad rights to the RedZone brand and distribute the NFL RedZone Channel to pay TV operators for continued inclusion into their sports packages.

• NFL Fantasy Football would merge with ESPN Fantasy Football, creating the official Fantasy season-long game of the NFL and one best-in-class digital experience, driving innovation and enabling broader reach to meet global demand.

• In total, ESPN’s platforms will license an additional three NFL games per season to air on NFL Network as a result of today’s news. In addition, ESPN will adjust its overall NFL game schedule, with four games (including some from overlapping windows) shifting to NFL Network, which will continue to present seven games per season.

• The NFL will continue to own and operate its retained media businesses including properties such as NFL Films and key fan-facing platforms such as NFL+, NFL.com, the NFL Podcast Network, the NFL FAST Channel and the official sites for the league’s 32 clubs. It will also continue to own, operate, and produce NFL RedZone, and retain the rights to distribute NFL RedZone digitally.

From Pro Football Talk:

Marchand reports that the NFL employees who have staffed NFL Network will become ESPN employees in April 2026. Whether and to what extent staffing changes occur after that remains to be seen.

Likewise, the Monday Night Football doubleheaders will end (thank football gods). Those four games likely will be sold by the NFL. With the three games NFL Network has retained, ESPN will now televise 28 total games per year.

As the next wave of TV deals looms, it’s hard to imagine ESPN not having a significant package. The most awkward aspect of the arrangement is that the NFL will essentially be [charging] itself 10 cents on every dollar that ESPN pays for the privilege of presenting NFL games.

ESPN

Bills hire former player Leonhard as defensive coordinator

Former Bills player Jim Leonhard has been hired as the team’s new defensive coordinator, it was announced on Saturday.

The hiring marks a change in direction on the defensive side of the ball after Sean McDermott was fired following nine seasons leading the Bills and their defense.

Leonhard, 43, is currently the defensive pass game coordinator/assistant head coach with the Denver Broncos. This year, the Broncos’ defense put up 68 sacks, four short of tying the single-season record (72, 1984 Bears), and allowed the second-fewest yards per game (278.2).

Leonhard marks the second Broncos coach that new Bills coach Joe Brady has added to his staff in a coordinator role. The Bills also hired Pete Carmichael as their offensive coordinator. Brady and Carmichael worked under then-New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton in 2017-18.

Brady and Leonhard have not overlapped on a coaching staff previously.

“I only get one opportunity to be a head football coach,” Brady said during his introductory news conference. “I’m not in the business of hiring my friends, and making sure I want to get the best football coaches for these players cause they deserve that, and so, that’s what’s important to me.”

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NFL.com

2026 Senior Bowl takeaways: Garrett Nussmeier delivers MVP performance in NFL draft showcase

The American Team defeated the National Team, 17-9, in the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl on Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.

Here are three takeaways from the 77th annual all-star contest, which capped off a week of events, including three days of practice, featuring 100-plus top prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Defenders open eyes. Naturally, in a game with fewer than 500 combined yards of offense, there were several defenders who stood out.

Missouri edge rusher Zion Young had a productive week of practice in his quest to be a high pick, and he earned Defensive MVP honors in Saturday’s game. Young was in on a couple stops for short gains and recovered a fumble, also providing several pressures.

Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher was all over the place for the National Team defense, making a game-high 10 tackles — five more than any other player — and breaking up a pass. Boettcher’s coverage ability and intensity stood out all week.

Boston College edge rusher Quintayvious Hutchins had three tackles for losses (for a combined minus-12 yards) and stopped Cole Payton’s run on a two-point conversion attempt. Western Michigan’s Nadame Tucker also stood out, finishing with two sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

Another sleeper who didn’t stuff the box score was Michigan DT Rayshaun Benny, who battled his way into the backfield multiple times for the American Team and also stoned Clemson’s Adam Randall for no gain.

Washington CB Ephesians Prysock was a standout in coverage, batting down two passes to help the American Team to victory.

aBit o’Twitter