
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.
Latest episodes

Feb 26, 2024 • 1h 4min
NFL Combine and mock draft prep
The Athletic's Ben Standig is in Indianapolis for this week's NFL Scouting Combine and talking about prospects with guest analyst Danny Kelly (The Ringer). Ben opens the episode with notes on Eric Bieniemy and Charles Leno before going through his initial draft of a mock draft. Thoughts on options at 2, but also the Commanders at 36, 40, and 67, and what to track leading to those slots. Then Ben and Danny discuss Day Two prospects, positional strengths (OL, WR) and weaknesses (edge, TE), and the quarterbacks in play for Washington's first-round selection.

Feb 22, 2024 • 1h 28min
Who is two and where is Kam Curl?
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here for an action-packed episode talking Commanders. Guests: Former NFL GM Randy Mueller, Washington Post columnist Barry Svruluga, Washington assistant coaches Brian Johnson, Ryan Kerrigan and Ken Norton Jr.Segment 1 - Ben's takeaways from Wednesday's meet-the-assistant day in AshburnSegment 2 - Ben and Randy banter about which of the QB prospects the GM likes best; Where Washington players rank (or not!) on Randy's top 150 NFL free agent list; Dan Quinn and Adam Peters seeking staff cohesion; new assistant GM Lance NewmarkSegment 3 - Barry on where the Commanders stadium talk fits in with Monumental Sports's push for a new arenaSegment 4 - Hear from the three assistants on Quinn, their roles with the new staff, 2024 hopes

Feb 20, 2024 • 1h 12min
Randomness with Kevin Sheehan
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here for an impromptu episode with Kevin Sheehan (Team 980/Kevin Sheehan podcast). The fellas, of course, discussed various Commanders' topics, including which free agents' should be re-signed, but this episode bounces around. What the failing NBA All-Star game says about viewer habits and the evolution of competition. Consuming more sports and stuff after the Super Bowl. TV shows they're watching and those that nailed the landing. More randomness.

Feb 19, 2024 • 1h 2min
Do the numbers add up for the Dan Quinn staff?
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here talking Commanders' coordinators and Washington's new situation from an analytics angle with Ben Baldwin. The usual Ben opens the episode with first impressions from the Kliff Kingsbury ("Air Raid," Caleb Williams) and Joe Whitt Jr. (football aggression, avoiding groupthink) press conferences plus other notes. Then Ben Baldwin enters for what data says about the Dan Quinn hire, Kingsbury's scheme, and why Washington's wide receivers struggled to get open. Also, what does he know about the Commanders' analytics lead, Eugene Shen?

Feb 15, 2024 • 1h 18min
Take down the help wanted sign
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here to share conversations about the Commanders' new assistant GM, former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn coming to Washington, and more with Nicki Jhabvala (Washington Post) and Al Galdi. Ben and Nicki open the show with thoughts on the addition of former Lions exec Lance Newmark, new titles for Martin Mayhew and Marty Hurney, how the big-name offensive hires will mesh, the Kliff Kingsbury/Caleb Williams relationship, Usher and more. Then Al enters (40:25) for more on the coaching staff, free agency, the fallacy with Washington salary cap situation

Feb 12, 2024 • 1h 6min
Commanders' hires and Super Bowl takeaways
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here talking about the Commnders' latest assistant coaching hires, Super Bowl takeaways, drafting Caleb Willams and more with Mike Smeltz (The Athletic). Ben opens the episode with thoughts on coaching changes at OL and special teams. Then Mike joins to discuss Adam Peters' path to assembling a Super Bowl roster, Patrick Mahomes' greatness, Tony Romo's gaffes, Kyle Shanahan's reputation, booing Taylor Swift along with the coach hires and more.

Feb 9, 2024 • 1h 7min
What about that Kliff KIngsbury offense?
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here talking about Kliff Kingsbury, Drake Maye, and the Commanders filling out their coaching staff. Ben opens with some notes before interviewing Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo (10:32). Why Phil? He and his friend, Kingsbury, run a version of the Air Raid offense. That's also the scheme Longo used at North Carolina when he coached Sam Howell and Maye, the possible no. 2 selection in April's draft. Then Ben reacts to the reaction to his story on The Athletic about the head coach search winding through Ben Johnson before landing on Dan Quinn (28:18). Then some news about three assistants joining the staff, including one holdover (59:58)

Feb 6, 2024 • 1h 15min
'Doing hard $hit with good people'
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here with colleagues David Aldridge and Cowboys insider Jon Machota to discuss new Commanders' head coach Dan Quinn, his coordinator hirings and the exit of Eric Bieniemy. Ben and David start with first impressions of Quinn at the introductory press conference. His energy (see the title of this episode), Quinn's working relationship with GM Adam Peters, new OC Kliff Kingsbury replacing Bieniemy, "recalibrating," and no expected front-office changes (for now). Then Jon shares insight into Dan Quinn the coach and personality, along with thoughts on new DC Joe Whitt Jr.

Feb 2, 2024 • 49min
The Mighty Quinn?
The Athletic's Ben Standig is here for a rambling solo pod about the Washington Commanders hiring Dan Quinn as the team's new head coach. Numerous league sources are fans of adding the ex-Cowboys defensive coordinator, but did Josh Harris and Adam Peters settle for someone who wasn't their top choice? Thoughts on the Ben Johnson situation, possible coordinator targets and your mailbag questions.

Jan 29, 2024 • 53min
Go time for Commanders
The Athletic's Ben Standig sets the stage for this pivotal week as the Washington Commanders prepare to hire a new head coach (and, far down the list, attend the Senior Bowl). Ben shares the latest intel on the remaining interview schedule, whether Ben Johnson is destined to become the hire, why the Seahawks' search process adds a curious variable for Washington and the championship round games. Then Denton Day (Team 980, Sirius) joins Ben to discuss their stances on the no. 2 pick and prospects at the Senior Bowl.