Giants Rival Commanders Extend Cosmi

SEPT 5 – COMMANDERS SIGN COSMI – The path to the New York Giants stealing games in 2024 is paved by one of the league’s most imposing defensive lines – Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Brian Burns combining to overwhelm offenses.

Their rival Washington Commanders, though, need quarterback Jayden Daniels to exceed expectations if their season will prove fruitful. And that means protecting him long enough for him to create chaos.

On Wednesday, Washington took a step towards making that protection stick.

According to Adam Schefter , the Commanders signed guard Sam Cosmi to a four-year, $74 million – $46 million of which is guaranteed.

Cosmi allowed just a single sack last season, his first year moving inside from right tackle. His extension is a bet that his transition-induced prowess can stick in an era where quality offensive line play is increasingly rare.

SEPT 4 – TRACKING TONEY – The New York Giants and their fans don’t look back fondly on the Kadarius Toney era in the Big Apple.

It was short, unproductive, and seemingly a waste of everyone’s time – even New York’s trade return would be inconsequential. The third-round pick was used on Darren Waller, who has since retired, and the sixth-round pick, used on corner Tre Hawkins, is the last corner on the depth chart.

The receiver’s tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs would prove to have a similar ending, despite him now owning two Super Bowl rings.

After being cut by the Chiefs in August, Toney visited the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday, per Field Yates .

At this point, Toney is a roster long shot due to his lack of production, positionless profile (Kansas City was rumored to try him at running back this summer), and character concerns. Perhaps he’ll be a special teamer or gadget player for Seattle, but nothing seems imminent.

SEPT 3 – ADDISON RETURNS – After an injury scare in the middle of August, Minnesota Vikings receiver Jordan Addison’s season opener was in doubt.

However, Addison and his recovered ankle made it back to practice on Monday, according to ProFootballTalk .

Thus, it seems likely Addison is available for the Vikings’ Week 1 opener against the New York Giants.

The Giants secondary is rather thin, and set to have its hands full with Justin Jefferson looming on the boundary. Addison, a first-round receiver in his own right, will have the opportunity to do damage, even with backup quarterback Sam Darnold under center.

The New York faithful will learn more about their opponent when the injury report drops on Wednesday.

AUG 31 – SHEPARD SIGNS – The New York Giants lost an icon this offseason when running back Saquon Barkley left town for the Philadelphia Eagles.

But what may have pulled at the heartstrings more was the inevitable departure of receiver Sterling Shepard.

After eight years, New York’s young receiving corps proved to have no more room for the veteran – the Giants’ longest-tenured player. The 2016 second-round pick topped 800 yards just once, but as an ancillary receiver, he was beloved for his contributions and leadership.

Shepard spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this summer and was released during the cut down to 53 players. However, he re-signed with the team’s practice squad later in the week, seemingly a priority for Tampa Bay.

If he does see the field, he’ll do so with his college quarterback, Baker Mayfield, under center.

Shepard could return home in Week 12 when the Giants play host to his Buccaneers. He’d be guaranteed to receive a warm welcome.

AUG 29 – AIYUK EXTENDS – While the rest of the league was working on their practice squads, the San Francisco 49ers were finalizing a higher-profile move.

On Thursday, the 49ers signed Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million extension, complete with $76 million in guarantees, per Mike Garafolo .

The Giants were never in the market for the superstar receiver, but they should consider this deal good news.

For one, the Washington Commanders were an early favorite to trade for his services. With former teammate Jayden Daniels under center and the incentive to support their franchise quarterback, the Commanders were in position to make Aiyuk a semi-annual problem for New York.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were largely expected to land him as the hold-in continued, though, and they too came up empty. Pittsburgh will host the Giants in Week 8 – without an elite receiver.

AUG 28 – BOOSTED BY BARKLEY – The story of the New York Giants offseason was losing running back Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Losing a franchise was hard enough on a fan base that’s been through the ringer, but going to an Eagles team that is positioned to rub the acquisition in their faces only added insult to injury.

The New York faithful got a harsh reminder of Barkley’s talent in ESPN’s top 100 player s for the upcoming season, in which Barkley ranked 48th.

“Working behind a stout offensive line and alongside playmakers such as Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, Barkley has had plenty of space to operate in during training camp,” Tim McManus wrote. “He has flashed the combination of speed and power that made him so successful over six seasons with the Giants.

“Health is the question mark after he missed seven games over the past three seasons because of injury. If he can stay on the field, he'll have plenty of opportunities as a runner and pass catcher.”

New York will have to deal with Barkley in Weeks 7 and 18.

AUG 27 – PRESCOTT, HURTS RANKED – Every year, The Athletic surveys NFL coaches and executives to separate the league’s (non-rookie) starting quarterbacks into tiers.

Spoiler alert, New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones didn’t fare well, ranking 23rd among 30 subjects.

His NFC East rivals received much more praise. Both were considered Tier 2 quarterbacks – quarterbacks with the talent to carry teams or an otherwise special ability that makes them a franchise passer.

Related: Way-Too-Early Mock Draft: Giants Pick Promising Quarterback Prospect

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ranked ninth.

“Dak can roll out of bed and throw for 450,” an offensive play caller said. “It’s unbelievable.”

Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Hurts came in right behind him at 11.

“Hurts played so well the previous year, I am giving him a mulligan with some of the things they had going on offensively,” a coach who placed Hurts in Tier 2 said. “I do not think he was bad, necessarily.”

AUG 24 – BLAND DOWN – While the New York Giants prepare for their final preseason contest against the New York Jets, they received some news from their NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys.

Cowboys corner DaRon Bland suffered a stress fracture in his foot, the team announced. He will undergo surgery and is expected to be out 6-8 weeks.

That puts his status squarely in doubt for Week 4, when Dallas visits New York on Thursday Night Football. Week 4 is approximately five weeks from the preseason finale.

Unequivocally, this weakens the Cowboys in the early going. The team let veteran Stephon Gilmore hit free agency – he recently signed with the Giants’ Week 1 opponent Minnesota Vikings – meaning it will rely on unproven depth in Bland’s absence.

Bland notably set the record for pick-sixes in a season (five) in 2023, so New York will avoid one of the game’s most dynamic ballhawks.