
Standig Room Only: A show about the Washington Commanders and D.C. sports
Each week The Athletic's Ben Standig brings you the latest stories surrounding the Washington Commanders and other sports around the D.C. area. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Nov 25, 2022 • 29min
Random Commanders
The Athletic's Ben Standig and NBC Sports Washington's Pete Hailey fight off the day-after-Thanksgiving-dinner vibes for a random Commanders chat ahead of Sunday's game against the Falcons. Positive Chase Young news? Are the Falcons a sexier, more dangerous version of the Texans? Alpha Terry. Bigger absence: Cole Holcomb or Benjamin St-Juste? Quarterbacks, playoffs, random NFL trivia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 22, 2022 • 51min
True or False: The Commanders are... playoff bound?
The Athletic's Ben Standig is back for some True or False and fill-in-the-blank questions about the surging Washington Commanders with the Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala. Most underrated player during this 5-1 stretch? Will Chase Young play before the bye week? Is Jamin Davis the most improved player this season? Are the Commanders playoff bound? Plus, Taylor Heinicke's future, team MVP, the front office's track record, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 21, 2022 • 1h 2min
Commanders keep 'Winning'; NFL Draft preview
The Athletic's Ben Standig is talking from Houston, where the Commanders throttled the Texans, and Taylor Heinicke was named the starter moving forward. Then we dive into the NFL Draft with The Athletic's insider Dane Brugler.Ben opens the show with insight on the 23-10 win as Washington showed no letdown after the Philly special (victory), The defense dominated in the first half -- Jon Allen and Daron Payne, whew -- while Heinicke and his playmakers moved the chains. What do we think of the QB decision?Then Ben and Dane get into the 2023 NFL Draft (18:40). Quarterbacks at the top (Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Will Levis) and through all seven rounds. What about the offensive line talent? Plus, Dane on Sam Howell, John Ridgeway, and sleepers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 17, 2022 • 56min
Jeff Bezos, Chase Young and the QB plan
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here to talk surging Commanders, Chase Young's status, Jeff Bezos and facing the Texans with former Washington head coach Jay Gruden and Michael Phillips from the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Ben and Michael begin with the latest from Ashburn, including the QB plan, whether the potential team sale means Bezos or bust, questions about Young playing this week and legalized gambling in Maryland. Then Gruden arrives (24:33) for his review of how Washington stunned Philadelphia, why Taylor Heinicke works (and doesn't), the surging defense, cold weather, RG3 and Alex Smith on TV, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 15, 2022 • 25min
Commanders cook Eagles
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here for a late-night solo pod after the Washington Commanders stun the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. There's some scene setting from a victorious locker room, winning the turnover battle, the young secondary, where things stand with the QB battle moving forward. Also here postgame sound from Taylor Heinicke and Terry McLaurin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 11, 2022 • 47min
Attorney General, Analytics and attacking the Eagles
The Athletic's Ben Standig is getting ready for some Monday night football with Michael Phillips (Richmond Times-Dispatch) and analytics guru Ben Baldwin (The Athletic). Ben and Michael begin (3:30) with the latest legal drama involving Dan Snyder as the District's Attorney General files suit against the Commanders and the NFL, and Washington pushes back with an unfortunate statement involving Brian Robinson. There's also an unsettling Chase Young injury update, QB talk and what happens in Philly. Then it's Ben x 2. They go through Baldwin's latest graphs that offer praise for the defense and questions elsewhere. Also, did Ron Rivera make the proper analytics call with his timeout usage at the end of the Minnesota game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 9, 2022 • 34min
Jay Gruden talks Snyder, Sundays and Saturday
The Athletic's Ben Standig is back with Jay Gruden. The former Washington head coach shares his reaction to the news of Dan Snyder possibly selling the franchise and his thoughts on the Commanders' offense in the loss to the Vikings. Would he go back to Carson Wentz when possible? The Daron Payne-Jon Allen dynamic combo. What did he think of the Colts hiring a head coach with zero pro coaching experience in Jeff Saturday? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 7, 2022 • 1h 4min
Commanders collapse; Dan Snyder's next moves
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here to explore the Snyders potentially selling the Commanders with Ben Fischer (Sports Business Journal) and Washington squandering a fourth-quarter lead to Kirk Cousins and the Vikings with Matt Paras (Washington Times).Ben and Matt open the show discussing Taylor Heinicke's costly interception, Washington's curious offensive play calling, the defense pounded Cousins, bright spots, Ron Rivera's decision-making, and more.Then Ben Fischer joins the chat (31:55) to share his latest reporting on the Snyders plan, including why the other owners might be done with Snyder. Why the signs point to a full sale, though nothing is guaranteed, for now. Timeline? Price? Is this Jeff Bezos' race to lose? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 3, 2022 • 52min
Snyders: 'We are exploring all options'
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here to discuss the massive news of the day: The Snyders might sell the Commanders. Ben also speaks with Jay Gruden about drafting Terry McLaurin, Kirk Cousins' coming back to town Sunday with the Vikings, and Taylor Heinicke's value (15:30)Along with more on the stunning Snyder news, Ben talks about Chase Young's return to practice, D.C. police updating the investigation into the attack on Brian Robinson and tons more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 2, 2022 • 1h 9min
Logan Paulsen and Fred Smoot
The Athletic's Ben Standig is talking with guests Logan Paulsen and Fred Smoot about the William Jackson trade, an alternate Kirk Cousins universe and all things Commanders. Ben opens the show with the details of Jackson's trade to Pittsburgh before welcoming Logan. They spoke pre-trade on how the offense is different with Taylor Heinicke starting, common rationale with the Jackson and Wentz acquisitions, and what would have happened if Cousins stayed (9:32). Then Fred enters for candid thoughts on why Jackson busted with Washington, the secondary, and why Cousins is "The Wolf of Wall Street" (42:10). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.