Tom Schad
@tomschad.bsky.social
Washington Commanders beat writer for The Washington Post.
Email: tom.schad@washpost.com | Signal: @tschad.12
Email: tom.schad@washpost.com | Signal: @tschad.12
That's a wrap on the 2025 season -- and Year 1 (back) on the beat. A sincere thanks to everyone who read our stuff and followed along this year
January 6, 2026 at 1:48 AM
That's a wrap on the 2025 season -- and Year 1 (back) on the beat. A sincere thanks to everyone who read our stuff and followed along this year
Dan Quinn demurred when asked if he's going to call defensive plays next season. Still evaluating best step forward. But said he'll be "heavily involved" with the defense one way or another.
January 5, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Dan Quinn demurred when asked if he's going to call defensive plays next season. Still evaluating best step forward. But said he'll be "heavily involved" with the defense one way or another.
Asked about Laremy Tunsil, Adam Peters said the #Commanders have been in "constant communication" with him and his team about an extension.
"We definitely want to get something done with him sooner rather than later," he said.
"We definitely want to get something done with him sooner rather than later," he said.
January 5, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Asked about Laremy Tunsil, Adam Peters said the #Commanders have been in "constant communication" with him and his team about an extension.
"We definitely want to get something done with him sooner rather than later," he said.
"We definitely want to get something done with him sooner rather than later," he said.
Adam Peters said he thinks he and Terry McLaurin would agree they would've liked to get his contract done earlier than they did.
"It didn't happen that way. There's reasons for that," he said. "But ultimately, we'd like to get those things done before we did."
"It didn't happen that way. There's reasons for that," he said. "But ultimately, we'd like to get those things done before we did."
January 5, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Adam Peters said he thinks he and Terry McLaurin would agree they would've liked to get his contract done earlier than they did.
"It didn't happen that way. There's reasons for that," he said. "But ultimately, we'd like to get those things done before we did."
"It didn't happen that way. There's reasons for that," he said. "But ultimately, we'd like to get those things done before we did."
Dan Quinn in his end-of-season presser: "We've got a lot of work to do."
Added that everything needs to be, and is being, looked at.
Added that everything needs to be, and is being, looked at.
January 5, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Dan Quinn in his end-of-season presser: "We've got a lot of work to do."
Added that everything needs to be, and is being, looked at.
Added that everything needs to be, and is being, looked at.
Reposted by Tom Schad
Jayden Daniels: “That’s the focus for me in this offseason is just rebuilding myself from the ground up."
Whatever changes the #Commanders make this offseason won't matter if Daniels can't stay healthy. On his efforts to be more durable in '26 🔗⤵️ www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
Whatever changes the #Commanders make this offseason won't matter if Daniels can't stay healthy. On his efforts to be more durable in '26 🔗⤵️ www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
As Commanders pack up, Jayden Daniels considers how 2026 can go better
A dispiriting season for the team and its franchise quarterback may bring significant changes. ‘You don’t want to have locker room clean out this early.’
www.washingtonpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Jayden Daniels: “That’s the focus for me in this offseason is just rebuilding myself from the ground up."
Whatever changes the #Commanders make this offseason won't matter if Daniels can't stay healthy. On his efforts to be more durable in '26 🔗⤵️ www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
Whatever changes the #Commanders make this offseason won't matter if Daniels can't stay healthy. On his efforts to be more durable in '26 🔗⤵️ www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
In today's newspaper...
On the #Commanders win, and key questions for the offseason ahead: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
@barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social on the Eagles being the standard that Washington is pursuing: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
On the #Commanders win, and key questions for the offseason ahead: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
@barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social on the Eagles being the standard that Washington is pursuing: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
January 5, 2026 at 6:03 PM
In today's newspaper...
On the #Commanders win, and key questions for the offseason ahead: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
@barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social on the Eagles being the standard that Washington is pursuing: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
On the #Commanders win, and key questions for the offseason ahead: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
@barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social on the Eagles being the standard that Washington is pursuing: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
Final #Commanders defensive rankings in 2025:
Points per game allowed: 27th
Yards per game: 32nd
Rush yards per game: 30th
Pass yards per game: 28th
3rd-down conversion rate: 23rd
Sack rate: t-18th
Missed tackles: 31st
Explosive play rate: 30th
Points per game allowed: 27th
Yards per game: 32nd
Rush yards per game: 30th
Pass yards per game: 28th
3rd-down conversion rate: 23rd
Sack rate: t-18th
Missed tackles: 31st
Explosive play rate: 30th
January 5, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Final #Commanders defensive rankings in 2025:
Points per game allowed: 27th
Yards per game: 32nd
Rush yards per game: 30th
Pass yards per game: 28th
3rd-down conversion rate: 23rd
Sack rate: t-18th
Missed tackles: 31st
Explosive play rate: 30th
Points per game allowed: 27th
Yards per game: 32nd
Rush yards per game: 30th
Pass yards per game: 28th
3rd-down conversion rate: 23rd
Sack rate: t-18th
Missed tackles: 31st
Explosive play rate: 30th
The craziest stat about Bobby Wagner: In 14 NFL seasons, he has as many Pro Bowl appearances (10) as regular-season games missed due to injury.
Insane durability for a MLB. (Worth noting he played the final month of this season with a sprained MCL.)
Insane durability for a MLB. (Worth noting he played the final month of this season with a sprained MCL.)
January 5, 2026 at 2:46 AM
The craziest stat about Bobby Wagner: In 14 NFL seasons, he has as many Pro Bowl appearances (10) as regular-season games missed due to injury.
Insane durability for a MLB. (Worth noting he played the final month of this season with a sprained MCL.)
Insane durability for a MLB. (Worth noting he played the final month of this season with a sprained MCL.)
A little on the #Commanders 24-17 win, and a lot more on the pivotal offseason ahead: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
Commanders enter a pivotal offseason with a win — and many questions
The Commanders beat the Eagles, 24-17, to finish 5-12. They will have the seventh pick in the draft and big decisions to make on free agents and coaches.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:54 AM
A little on the #Commanders 24-17 win, and a lot more on the pivotal offseason ahead: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
The Falcons are firing head coach Raheem Morris, a person familiar confirmed to colleague Mark Maske.
A few possible #Commanders implications here, if they make a change at defensive coordinator (as presumed): Morris and Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich both have ties to Dan Quinn.
A few possible #Commanders implications here, if they make a change at defensive coordinator (as presumed): Morris and Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich both have ties to Dan Quinn.
January 5, 2026 at 1:52 AM
The Falcons are firing head coach Raheem Morris, a person familiar confirmed to colleague Mark Maske.
A few possible #Commanders implications here, if they make a change at defensive coordinator (as presumed): Morris and Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich both have ties to Dan Quinn.
A few possible #Commanders implications here, if they make a change at defensive coordinator (as presumed): Morris and Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich both have ties to Dan Quinn.
Dan Quinn called Bobby Wagner "the best tackler I've coached." He invited London Fletcher into the locker room to be celebrate Wagner making 2,000.
Quinn said he wondered if Wagner would hit the milestone, but "in true Wags fashion, he will find a way."
Quinn said he wondered if Wagner would hit the milestone, but "in true Wags fashion, he will find a way."
January 5, 2026 at 1:33 AM
Dan Quinn called Bobby Wagner "the best tackler I've coached." He invited London Fletcher into the locker room to be celebrate Wagner making 2,000.
Quinn said he wondered if Wagner would hit the milestone, but "in true Wags fashion, he will find a way."
Quinn said he wondered if Wagner would hit the milestone, but "in true Wags fashion, he will find a way."
Von Miller praised the #Commanders and said he wants to come back in 2026. Said this year was about proving to himself that he can still contribute.
"I don't know about two years from now," he said, "but I've definitely got next year on the books, for sure."
"I don't know about two years from now," he said, "but I've definitely got next year on the books, for sure."
January 5, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Von Miller praised the #Commanders and said he wants to come back in 2026. Said this year was about proving to himself that he can still contribute.
"I don't know about two years from now," he said, "but I've definitely got next year on the books, for sure."
"I don't know about two years from now," he said, "but I've definitely got next year on the books, for sure."
Bobby Wagner said he's proud of joining London Fletcher and Ray Lewis in the 2,000-tackle club, because those are guys he reached out to for advice.
On his future: "I have not thought about anything outside of today."
On his future: "I have not thought about anything outside of today."
January 5, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Bobby Wagner said he's proud of joining London Fletcher and Ray Lewis in the 2,000-tackle club, because those are guys he reached out to for advice.
On his future: "I have not thought about anything outside of today."
On his future: "I have not thought about anything outside of today."
For clarity: Bobby Wagner has exactly 2,000 career tackles per Pro Football Reference. He has 1,998 per NFLGSIS.
The discrepancies: One solo tackle in 2012, and another in 2013.
The discrepancies: One solo tackle in 2012, and another in 2013.
With 5 combined tackles today, #Commanders LB Bobby Wagner becomes just the third player in NFL history to record 2,000 tackles. Only Ray Lewis & London Fletcher have more.
A gift link to last month's story on how Wagner's mastered the craft of tackling: wapo.st/4poZM46
A gift link to last month's story on how Wagner's mastered the craft of tackling: wapo.st/4poZM46
Bobby Wagner and the art of tackling
The Commanders linebacker is close to becoming the third player in NFL history to make 2,000 tackles — a testament to his durability and dedication to his craft.
wapo.st
January 5, 2026 at 12:46 AM
For clarity: Bobby Wagner has exactly 2,000 career tackles per Pro Football Reference. He has 1,998 per NFLGSIS.
The discrepancies: One solo tackle in 2012, and another in 2013.
The discrepancies: One solo tackle in 2012, and another in 2013.
Final: #Commanders 24, Eagles 17
The 2025 season is over. Washington finishes 5-12, with a mirror of last year's record. It will have the No. 7 overall pick in the first round. A pivotal offseason awaits.
The 2025 season is over. Washington finishes 5-12, with a mirror of last year's record. It will have the No. 7 overall pick in the first round. A pivotal offseason awaits.
January 5, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Final: #Commanders 24, Eagles 17
The 2025 season is over. Washington finishes 5-12, with a mirror of last year's record. It will have the No. 7 overall pick in the first round. A pivotal offseason awaits.
The 2025 season is over. Washington finishes 5-12, with a mirror of last year's record. It will have the No. 7 overall pick in the first round. A pivotal offseason awaits.
Josh Johnson keeps it on 3rd and 1, and the #Commanders have their first lead of the half, 24-17.
They're 2:32 from the end of the 2025 season, and perhaps their 5th win.
They're 2:32 from the end of the 2025 season, and perhaps their 5th win.
January 5, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Josh Johnson keeps it on 3rd and 1, and the #Commanders have their first lead of the half, 24-17.
They're 2:32 from the end of the 2025 season, and perhaps their 5th win.
They're 2:32 from the end of the 2025 season, and perhaps their 5th win.
With 5 combined tackles today, #Commanders LB Bobby Wagner becomes just the third player in NFL history to record 2,000 tackles. Only Ray Lewis & London Fletcher have more.
A gift link to last month's story on how Wagner's mastered the craft of tackling: wapo.st/4poZM46
A gift link to last month's story on how Wagner's mastered the craft of tackling: wapo.st/4poZM46
Bobby Wagner and the art of tackling
The Commanders linebacker is close to becoming the third player in NFL history to make 2,000 tackles — a testament to his durability and dedication to his craft.
wapo.st
January 4, 2026 at 11:38 PM
With 5 combined tackles today, #Commanders LB Bobby Wagner becomes just the third player in NFL history to record 2,000 tackles. Only Ray Lewis & London Fletcher have more.
A gift link to last month's story on how Wagner's mastered the craft of tackling: wapo.st/4poZM46
A gift link to last month's story on how Wagner's mastered the craft of tackling: wapo.st/4poZM46
Jake Moody, who doinked it off the right upright from 24 yards, hits from 56 at the end of the half to put the #Commanders up 10-7.
Lots of chances to evaluate guys today for Washington, and kicker is a big one. The more data points with Moody, the better.
Lots of chances to evaluate guys today for Washington, and kicker is a big one. The more data points with Moody, the better.
January 4, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Jake Moody, who doinked it off the right upright from 24 yards, hits from 56 at the end of the half to put the #Commanders up 10-7.
Lots of chances to evaluate guys today for Washington, and kicker is a big one. The more data points with Moody, the better.
Lots of chances to evaluate guys today for Washington, and kicker is a big one. The more data points with Moody, the better.
Jeremy Reaves won't have many easier picks than that. It's his first INT since 2020, believe it or not.
The #Commanders now have 10 takeaways on the season. They need two more to equal the previous low in franchise history (12 in 2006).
The #Commanders now have 10 takeaways on the season. They need two more to equal the previous low in franchise history (12 in 2006).
January 4, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Jeremy Reaves won't have many easier picks than that. It's his first INT since 2020, believe it or not.
The #Commanders now have 10 takeaways on the season. They need two more to equal the previous low in franchise history (12 in 2006).
The #Commanders now have 10 takeaways on the season. They need two more to equal the previous low in franchise history (12 in 2006).
Hard to draw too many meaningful conclusions from this one, given the circumstances, but impressive stuff from the #Commanders offense early.
Drives of 79 and 65 yards on the first two possessions. 3 of 5 on 3rd and 4th downs. Should be up, instead tied 7-7.
Drives of 79 and 65 yards on the first two possessions. 3 of 5 on 3rd and 4th downs. Should be up, instead tied 7-7.
January 4, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Hard to draw too many meaningful conclusions from this one, given the circumstances, but impressive stuff from the #Commanders offense early.
Drives of 79 and 65 yards on the first two possessions. 3 of 5 on 3rd and 4th downs. Should be up, instead tied 7-7.
Drives of 79 and 65 yards on the first two possessions. 3 of 5 on 3rd and 4th downs. Should be up, instead tied 7-7.
Greetings from Week 18, y'all.
For pre-game reading ahead of the season finale, here are some of my favorite reads from our #Commanders coverage this year...
For pre-game reading ahead of the season finale, here are some of my favorite reads from our #Commanders coverage this year...
January 4, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Greetings from Week 18, y'all.
For pre-game reading ahead of the season finale, here are some of my favorite reads from our #Commanders coverage this year...
For pre-game reading ahead of the season finale, here are some of my favorite reads from our #Commanders coverage this year...
The #Commanders announced they are elevating WR River Cracraft and DT Ricky Barber for the season finale.
Barber made his NFL debut last week and had a strong showing: 5 tackles and a sack.
Barber made his NFL debut last week and had a strong showing: 5 tackles and a sack.
January 3, 2026 at 9:05 PM
The #Commanders announced they are elevating WR River Cracraft and DT Ricky Barber for the season finale.
Barber made his NFL debut last week and had a strong showing: 5 tackles and a sack.
Barber made his NFL debut last week and had a strong showing: 5 tackles and a sack.
Reposted by Tom Schad
"When you saw Jayden go down again,” Terry McLaurin told @postsports.bsky.social, "It was just like, ‘Damn this may not be our year.’”
We polled the players to understand how this #Commanders season turned sour — and what it'll take to bounce back 🔗⤵️ www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
We polled the players to understand how this #Commanders season turned sour — and what it'll take to bounce back 🔗⤵️ www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
Exit interviews: Commanders reflect on how this season turned so sour
‘Damn this may not be our year.’ As a miserable season comes to a close, players explain why it unraveled and what needs to change in 2026.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:17 PM
"When you saw Jayden go down again,” Terry McLaurin told @postsports.bsky.social, "It was just like, ‘Damn this may not be our year.’”
We polled the players to understand how this #Commanders season turned sour — and what it'll take to bounce back 🔗⤵️ www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
We polled the players to understand how this #Commanders season turned sour — and what it'll take to bounce back 🔗⤵️ www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...
No big surprise here, but Marcus Mariota (quad) and Laremy Tunsil (oblique) are both officially out for Sunday's game, Dan Quinn says. It'll be Josh Johnson again at QB.
January 2, 2026 at 5:18 PM
No big surprise here, but Marcus Mariota (quad) and Laremy Tunsil (oblique) are both officially out for Sunday's game, Dan Quinn says. It'll be Josh Johnson again at QB.