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Daily Slop – 17 Apr 25 – Multiple reports that agreement on RFK stadium site is taking shape

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Redskins Vs 49ers At RFK Stadium In Washington, DC
Photo by Dudley M. Brooks/The Washington Post via Getty Images

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The Athletic (paywall)

Agreement to bring Commanders’ stadium to RFK site in D.C. taking shape

Negotiations between the NFL franchise and the office of Mayor Muriel Bowser remain fluid and ongoing. However, a framework has emerged that indicates the Commanders would pay most of the cost of the mixed-use project on the 174-acre federal land site where the team played games for 35 years until leaving for neighboring Maryland in 1997.

Local television station NBC 4 first reported on the progress Wednesday. The story included specific financial figures from earlier discussions regarding the RFK site that appear outdated but highlight the franchise’s apparent commitment. Managing partner Josh Harris has worked toward a new stadium concept since purchasing the franchise for $6.05 billion in July 2023.

The unconfirmed details suggest the Commanders would contribute as much as $2.5 billion, with the District contributing up to $850 million primarily for infrastructure. Harris previously stated a desire for a new stadium to open by 2030.

However, the arduous journey through Capitol Hill red tape remains in limbo until Congress passes a Senate-approved funding bill to return D.C.’s 2026 budget to expected levels.

An earlier congressional bill cut the city’s budget to 2024 terms, meaning Bowser would face budget shortcomings and challenging decisions.

The Commanders recently hired former JBG Smith Properties executive Andy VanHorn to lead the franchise’s stadium planning. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, raised in the District, has thrown ample support behind the stadium concept. Harris grew up in the nearby Maryland suburbs and is naturally drawn to the appeal of returning his hometown team to the place that housed three Super Bowl champions.

Pro Football Talk

Report: Commanders, D.C. close to $3 billion stadium deal at RFK Stadium site

The District would pay in installments, with $500 million due between 2026 and 2030 and the other $350 million paid in 2032 through taxes generated from the new development to cover costs of the stadium or stadium infrastructure.

The deal calls for completion of the stadium in time for the start of the 2030 season.

Washington Post (paywall)

The potential agreement comes after months of talks between the administration of D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) and the team

A spokesperson for Bowser declined to comment on the status of the administration’s discussions with the team but said Wednesday night that the mayor’s office would share more about its plans for the RFK site when the budget is released in the coming days.

City officials said earlier this week that Bowser’s budget could be expected sometime in the next month. The mayor said Monday that her 2026 budget is “done” — but her administration has been waiting to release it because it will submit it to the D.C. Council along with a revised budget for this year that has been thrown into uncertainty by a $1 billion cut imposed by Congress.

The Congress-induced budget crisis left D.C. officials with a $410 million shortfall to close between now and the end of the fiscal year in September, one that they are still hoping the House of Representatives will reverse when lawmakers return from recess at the end of the month. Still, Bowser announced this week that she must take immediate and “extraordinary measures” to cut costs in the meantime. Bowser on Tuesday issued an order freezing government hiring and directing her administration to come up with plans for potential furloughs of city employees and closures of government facilities.

The capital budget, which would be the source of city funds for the stadium, is separate from the operating budget that funds D.C. government agencies and services.

Bowser has said she envisions a stadium as one part of a multiuse development that would include housing, retail, a sportsplex for D.C. residents and green space.

Any stadium deal involving public funds will have to get approval from the D.C. Council — and not every lawmaker supports financing a stadium with taxpayer money.

A group of activists launched a ballot initiative effort to block construction of a stadium at RFK, arguing the land would be best used for affordable housing. Their initiative seeks to get a question on the ballot in next year’s local elections, allowing D.C. voters to decide whether they want to change zoning rules to prohibit a professional sports stadium from being built on the RFK campus.

Commanders.com

10 draft prospects for Commanders fans to watch in 4th round

The opinions expressed in this article do not reflect those of the team.

  • Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia: Etienne’s vision and quickness help him stand out among a talented running back class. He didn’t hit 1,000 yards at either Florida or Georgia but knows how to score, as he had 23 rushing touchdowns and led Georgia with nine in 2024.
  • Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State: Nash was a machine for the Spartans, scoring 16 touchdowns and ranking second in the FBS with 1,382 yards. He reported to the combine at 203 pounds and knows how to use his size to win contested catches. That, along with six years of experience, should be enough for a team to take a chance on him.
  • Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green: The fourth round might end up being a little low for the first tight end in FBS history to be named a conference player of the year, but if Fannin somehow falls, he could be an exciting steal for a team. He set multiple FBS records in 2024 and was Bowling Green’s top weapon with 10 receiving touchdowns.
  • Barryn Sorrell, EDGE, Texas: Sorrell put up consistent numbers with Texas, averaging five sacks over the last three seasons. Although he might have a lower ceiling in the NFL, his reliability could help him become a solid player.
Commanders.com

Will Harris loves Commanders’ ‘culture of energy’

The Commanders played the Saints on the road in Week 15, and Harris was impressed with the energy they played with. “The way they fly around,” Harris said, “The way they get to the ball” was apparent on every play, and it played a role in the Commanders coming away with a 20-19 win in New Orleans.

Harris saw those traits, both as a competitor and spectator, and wanted to be part of it.

“How they’re playing for one another, how they’re playing for these coaches, how everything’s just in tandem,” Harris said. “And obviously you got a guy like [head coach] Dan Quinn. It’s hard not to want to run through a brick wall for him.”

Harris is not the only one to have that opinion of the Commanders, as their culture shift has gotten the attention of players around the league. Offensive tackle Foster Sarrell, who also signed with Washington this offseason from the Pittsburgh Steelers, said “it’s become pretty unanimous around the league that they are just running this place really well. The players love being here, and coaches love working here. I think that is super appealing, because that matters a lot.”

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Bleeding Green Nation

Ranking 12 tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft

Tier 2

3. Elijah Arroyo, Miami (Fla.), 6-5 1/8 250

Overall: Arroyo is a dynamic pass-catching tight end who finally broke out in 2024 after years hampered by injuries. The 2024 film is very fun. He offers rare vertical ability for the position, smooth athleticism, and YAC. He’s still growing as a route technician and blocker, but has high upside. He can develop into a legitimate three-down weapon.

Tier 3

6. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green, 6-3 1/4 241

Overall: I don’t love the way he moves on film, but you can’t just ignore the production. Fannin is a hybrid tight end who just had a historic season. He’s light for the position and needs polish as a route runner and blocker. But, his ball skills, YAC ability, and alignment flexibility make him a strong option as a H-back or flex player.

Barstool Sports

Finally, Some Logical Thinking From The Giants – Joe Schoen Says They Don’t Need To Draft A QB, Will Let Travis Hunter Play Both Sides Of The Ball

Now we’re a week out from the NFL Draft, stuck in the 3 spot but will have a decision to make. We know Cam Ward is going 1:

The Browns have the 2nd spot. They can go anywhere here. That’s all fine. That’s all fine because that means the Giants can take Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter at 3. One of them will be available. Even better is Joe Schoen saying he has no problem with Travis Hunter playing both sides of the ball. Good! I know it’s a little outlandish to say this, but Travis Hunter is good at football. Let him play both sides of the ball, not every snap, but figure out how to use him best instead of just saying it can’t happen.

I’m also a pretty rational fan here to know that one quarterback isn’t fixing the Giants. That quarterback would have to be a borderline Hall of Famer. The offensive line is still trash, especially when Andrew Thomas got hurt. The defense has the chance to be damn good. You add Abdul Carter there and some depth in the defensive backfield and you’re working with a top-10 defense in the league at a minimum.

I know we’re also in smokescreen times here, but there is no reason to take a quarterback at 3 right now unless Shedeur Sanders is a future 12-year starter and above average. There are just way too many problems with this roster. Stockpile as much as you can around it before you get the quarterback on a rookie deal.

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