STEPHEN WHYNO
FILE - Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Landover, Md., in this Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, file photo. Alex Smith is retiring from the NFL after making an improbable comeback from a broken leg. Smith announced his retirement Monday, April 19, 2021, on Instagram, saying he still has plenty of snaps left him just shy of his 37th birthday but is calling it quits to enjoy time with his family. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Alex Smith retires after comeback from gruesome leg injury

By Stephen Whyno Apr. 19, 2021 12:17 PM EDT
Alex Smith retired Monday after making an improbable comeback from a gruesome

FILE - Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder walks off the field before the start of an NFL football game against Dallas Cowboys in Landover, Md., in this Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, file photo. Dan Snyder is buying out the Washington Football Team's minority owners and will become the sole owner of the club. An NFL spokesman confirmed Snyder's application for a debt waiver of $450 million was approved by the finance committee and that the deal is pending approval from owners. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Snyder to buy out other Washington owners, pending approval

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 24, 2021 10:32 AM EDT
Dan Snyder will soon be the sole owner of the Washington Football Team.

FILE - Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson (22) plays against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, in this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, file photo. Washington has agreed to sign cornerback William Jackson. Jackson's contract with Washington is worth $42 million over three years with $26 million guaranteed, a person with knowledge of the signing tells The Associated Press. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday, March 17, 2021, because the team does not release contract terms. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
AP source: Washington agrees to sign receiver Curtis Samuel

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 17, 2021 09:26 AM EDT
Washington has filled an important void at wide receiver after coming to terms

FILE - Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) waits for the snap during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla., in this Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, file photo. Ryan Fitzpatrick has agreed to sign a one-year deal with Washington, according to a person with direct knowledge of the move. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday, March 16, 2021, because the deal cannot be official until the new league year starts Wednesday. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)
AP source: Washington signing QB Fitzpatrick, CB Jackson

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 16, 2021 09:54 AM EDT
Washington is the next stop on the FitzMagic tour. Veteran

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Washington Football Team offensive guard Brandon Scherff (75) blocks during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Landover, Md. On Monday, March 8, 2021, Washington announced they've placed the franchise tag on guard Brandon Scherff for a second consecutive year. Scherff is coming off his first All-Pro season. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr., File)
Washington franchise tags All-Pro guard Scherff for 2nd time

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 08, 2021 09:43 PM EST
After Washington's playoff loss to Tampa Bay, Morgan Moses greeted Brandon

FILE - Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, in this Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, file photo. Washington has informed Alex Smith the team is releasing the veteran quarterback, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday, March 5, 2021, because Smith’s release was not yet official. The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year hopes to continue playing next season at age 37. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Washington releases Comeback Player of the Year Alex Smith

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 05, 2021 10:09 AM EST
Washington released AP Comeback Player of the Year Alex Smith on Friday, a move

FILE - Washington Football Team cheerleaders perform before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Landover, Md., in this Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, file photo. The Washington Football Team will not have cheerleaders for the 2021 season as part of an organizational rebranding. Washington hired Petra Pope, who managed the "Laker Girls" and brings three decades of NBA experience as an adviser to take on the task of reinventing the group.(AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr., File)
Washington replacing cheerleading team with coed dance team

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 03, 2021 11:25 AM EST
Washington will not have cheerleaders for the first time since the NFL’s

Commissioner Roger Goodell talks about the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award during the NFL Honors ceremony as part of Super Bowl 55 Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Ex-Washington employees ask NFL to release report findings

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 25, 2021 05:18 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — Twenty former Washington Football Team employees asked NFL

Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) blasts the puck past Ottawa Senators goaltender Matt Murray (30) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Ottawa on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)
NHL takes big stride on data and analytics with AWS deal

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 10, 2021 06:24 PM EST
The NHL is taking another step forward in data, analytics, and puck and player

FILE - Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Landover, Md., in this , Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, file photo. Washington re-signed quarterback Taylor Heinicke to an $8.75 million, two-year contract, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
QB Heinicke re-signs with Washington for $8.75M over 2 years

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 10, 2021 10:48 AM EST
Taylor Heinicke hoped an impressive performance in his playoff debut would keep

FILE - New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to throw the ball against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL football game in Miami Gardens, Fla., in this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, file photo. Washington’s biggest offseason need is to figure out its quarterback situation. Trade for DeShaun Watson? Sign Cam Newton? Roll with Alex Smith and Kyle Allen? Coach Ron Rivera says “nothing is off the table.” (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
Watson? Newton? Smith? Allen? Washington explores QB options

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 03, 2021 07:20 PM EST
Washington will have a starting quarterback next season. Just don't expect Ron

FILE - This is a May 14, 2019, file photo showing Martin Mayhew of the San Francisco 49ers NFL football team. Washington has hired Martin Mayhew to be its new general manager. The hiring of Mayhew makes Washington the only team in the NFL with a Black team president and GM. (AP Photo/File)
Washington hires Martin Mayhew as general manager

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 22, 2021 09:44 AM EST
Ron Rivera bulked up his front office Friday, hiring Martin Mayhew to be

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2015, file photo, NHL Players' Association Executive Director Donald Fehr listens during a press conference in Columbus, Ohio. Like the NBA, the NHL is going forward with a season without a bubble. Commissioner Gary Bettman, Players' Association executive director Don Fehr and other top officials explain how hockey got to this point with a CBA that may have only staved off headaches and playing in mostly empty home arenas to start. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
NHL gambles on getting through pandemic outside a bubble

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 12, 2021 02:47 PM EST
When the NHL charter flight back from the Edmonton bubble landed in New Jersey,

Washington Football Team's Antonio Gibson rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Washington goes from 'Why not us?' to 'Who's the QB?'

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 11, 2021 04:18 PM EST
Ron Rivera and Washington embraced a “Why not us?” mentality in exceeding

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) celebrate a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Washington Football Team, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Brady outduels Heinicke, leads Buccaneers past Washington

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 09, 2021 11:42 PM EST
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — New team, same swashbuckling playoff success for Tom Brady

Washington Football Team's Alex Smith plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. Alex Smith is the biggest reason Washington became the first team in the Super Bowl era to start 2-7 and make the playoffs. The 36-year-old’s journey back from a broken leg and 17 surgeries was a long one, but the difference with him at quarterback has been simple: Smith doesn’t make major mistakes, manages the game and is the cool hand coach Ron Rivera wanted in control of his young team. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)
Smith out, Heinicke starts for Washington vs. Tampa Bay

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 09, 2021 05:50 PM EST
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Alex Smith is not in uniform for Washington’s wild-card

FILE - At left is a 2020 file photo showing Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young. At right is a 2021 file photo showing Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. Tom Brady plays his first NFL playoff game not in a New England Patriots uniform when he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit defensive rookie of the year frontrunner Chase Young and NFC East champion Washington in the wild card round. Young said after clinching a spot that he wanted Brady, and now he’ll get that chance. (AP Photo/File)
Brady vs. Young showdown highlights Buccaneers at Washington

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 07, 2021 01:35 PM EST
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Running off the field after Washington clinched a spot in

Fedex Field scoreboard displays the Washington Football Team name during warmups before the start of a NFL football game between Washington Football Team and Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Landover, Md. Washington has dumped its 86-year-old team name, handed over an investigation into workplace misconduct to the NFL, seen minority owners and Dan Snyder battle it out in court, coach Ron Rivera battle a form of skin cancer and reached the playoffs on the arm of a quarterback who hadn't played in two years because of an injury that looked career-threatening. All in a few months' work for arguably the biggest soap opera in professional sports with a playoff game against Tom Brady up next. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Washington in playoffs after tumultuous, whirlwind months

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 06, 2021 06:57 PM EST
One name change years in the making, two months of cancer treatments for the

Washington Football Team's Alex Smith plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Mr. Smith goes to Washington, takes another team to playoffs

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 05, 2021 03:57 PM EST
If the Alex Smith story becomes a movie, Alex Smith doesn't want to see it.

Washington Football Team's Kamren Curl (31) reacts with Jon Bostic (53) after intercepting a Philadelphia Eagles' pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Chase Young-led defense won NFC East for Washington

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 04, 2021 04:08 PM EST
Defense won the NFC East championship for Washington, even if much of the talk