The DC Sports Huddle by WTOP

The Washington Wizards enter the 2023 NBA Draft with more questions than answers following Bradley Beal's trade to Phoenix and Kyle Kuzma's decision to enter free agency. Longtime NBA reporter David Aldridge of The Athletic joins the WTOP Sports team to discuss what's next for the obviously-rebuilding Wizards and who makes the most sense for Washington at No. 8 overall in Thursday's NBA Draft.  Al...

The NBA Finals open Thursday night in Denver, as the Nuggets and Miami Heat battle for the Larry O'Brien Trophy . Will Denver's long rest or Miami's momentum win out? The WTOP Sports team debates that and taps Capitals radio host and fellow WTOPer Ben Raby to discuss whether the Capitals naming Spencer Carbery as head coach can help bring Washington back to championship heights. Also inside the D....

The Washington Commanders enter the 2023 NFL Draft with eight total selections, starting with the 16th overall pick Thursday night. The WTOP Sports team debates whether Washington should trade up, trade down or stand pat in Round 1 and offer bold predictions for which draft prospects fit best in Burgundy and Gold. Hint: One quarterback dominates the conversation! Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle...

Just as we Huddled up, news broke of Dan Snyder agreeing to sell the Washington Commanders to Josh Harris . We discuss the timing of the announcement, some of the concerns about Harris coming into control of the franchise and what it means for the team as currently constructed. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: The Capitals and Wizards both failed to qualify for the playoffs in the same season f...

A day after Angel Reese led LSU to its first NCAA basketball championship, her cousin Jordan Hawkins also represented Maryland well by helping UConn to the men's title . This week, we're joined by Christine Brennan -- USA Today columnist and commentator for CNN, ABC News and PBS Newshour -- to break down the thrilling finish to college basketball season, discuss the aftermath of the Reese situatio...

When the Washington Nationals host the Atlanta Braves Thursday, they'll open a 2023 season considered the least-anticipated campaign in franchise history. Longtime baseball reporter and Nationals Radio Network host Craig Heist, a WTOP alum, joins us to discuss the top reasons for Nats fans to have hope for the future. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle presented by MGM National Harbor: A day after...

The WTOP Sports team was impressed by Ed Cooley’s introductory press conference at Georgetown but can he meet  the high expectations on the hilltop ? Dave Preston, our resident AP Top 25 voter, leads our discussion on the Hoyas, what to make of our broken brackets and breaks down Maryland’s big test against Notre Dame in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle pr...

Welcome to the madness of March! The WTOP Sports team breaks down the brackets for the men's and women's NCAA tournament, including Final Four predictions and how far to expect Maryland and the other schools of local interest to go. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle presented by MGM National Harbor: The Commanders opened free agency with a flurry of activity to address multiple positions of need....

As expected,  Lamar Jackson was franchised tagged in Baltimore  — but it was mildly surprising that the Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag, which gives the rest of the NFL the chance to negotiate a long-term contract with the former MVP quarterback as well. The WTOP Sports team discusses the curious lack of leaguewide interest in acquiring Jackson and whether the Washington Commanders sho...

As expected, the Washington Commanders released Carson Wentz after only one disappointing season so the WTOP Sports team debates who should be the next veteran QB to don Burgundy and Gold, from home run option to the most likely candidate. Also inside this jam-packed D.C. Sports Huddle presented by MGM National Harbor: We discuss what the franchise tag means for Daron Payne in Washington, the new...

Following the Washington Commanders' introduction of Eric Bieniemy as their new offensive coordinator Thursday , the WTOP Sports team assembled to discuss their impressions of the veteran coach, what he brings to Ashburn and what the reasonable expectation for the 2023 Commanders offense should be under his leadership. There's one legendary NFL coach to whom Bieniemy drew consistent comparisons! A...

The Washington Commanders’ extensive offensive coordinator search reached its eighth interview Thursday when Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy visited Ashburn. Is the two-time Super Bowl champion OC in KC the right man for the job in D.C.? We discuss Bieniemy’s fit and, in a discussion sparked by  Rob’s column on the plight of Black NFL coaches , why he’s even still available...

The WTOP Sports team ushers in Super Bowl week with their breakdown of the historic Super Bowl LVII matchup between Kansas City and Philadelphia, delve into their favorite storylines surrounding the game and predict who will clutch the Lombardi Trophy after all is said and done. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle presented MGM National Harbor: Now that LeBron James is the NBA’s all-time leading sc...

Washington has multiple milestone anniversaries this week: Monday marked 40 years since John Riggins made 70 Chip a household term in the Burgundy and Gold's first Super Bowl victory and Tuesday is the 35th anniversary of Doug Williams' historic MVP performance in Super Bowl XXII. WTOP alum and ESPN 630 host Andy Pollin joins the WTOP Sports team to reminisce about those championship runs and wher...

Georgetown finally snapped its Big East record streak of 29 consecutive conference losses but now what should be the expectations for the Hoyas? Associated Press sports writer Stephen Whyno joins the WTOP Sports team to answer that question, break down the Wizards' plan following the trade of Rui Hachimura and discuss his book, "Odd Man In: Hockey's Emergency Goalies and the Wildest One-Day Job in...

The Washington Commanders’ search for a new offensive coordinator has brought them to coaches like Pat Shurmur, Darrell Bevell, Jim Caldwell and in-house candidate Ken Zampese. What other names deserve to be on the list and which is best for the Burgundy and Gold in 2023 and beyond? The WTOP Sports team shares their thoughts on who’s a “home run” hire and who Washington will most likely choose. Al...

Hours before  firing offensive coordinator Scott Turner , the Washington Commanders brass — head coach Ron Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew — spoke at length about the disappointing 2022 season. The WTOP Sports team delves into the fallacy of Rivera’s approach and how it bodes for what proves to be a challenging and eventful 2023. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle presented MGM National H...

For the fifth straight season, the Washington Commanders will start a third different quarterback when rookie  Sam Howell takes the field against Dallas . Should a good showing against the rival Cowboys get the 2022 fifth-round pick the inside track on the starting job next season? The WTOP Sports team opens its monthlong focus on Washington’s ongoing QB search. Also inside the the D.C. Sports Hud...

The Washington Commanders have decided to go with Carson Wentz as the starting quarterback for their crucial matchup with the Cleveland Browns. Is Wentz the spark the Burgundy and Gold need for a playoff push or will the move away from the “Heinicke magic” backfire? The WTOP Sports team debates that and breaks down how the Commanders can win. Come inside the D.C. Sports Huddle presented by MGM Nat...

As 2022 draws to a close, the WTOP Sports team has Huddled together for a special episode to discuss some of the year’s highlights of D.C. sports through their eyes. Join WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork and fellow sports anchor Dave Preston, as each weigh in on 2022’s Story of the Year, Comeback Athlete of the Year, Breakthrough Athlete of the Year, Moment...

The Washington Commanders are significant underdogs for their cross-country trip west on a short week to face the NFC West-champion San Francisco 49ers. What can Washington do to pull off another huge road upset like the one in Philadelphia? The WTOP Sports team lays the blueprint for the Commanders to do just that. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle presented by MGM National Harbor: Ron Rivera di...

The Washington Commanders are back from their bye week to face the same Giants team with whom they tied in New York two weeks ago. How can the Burgundy and Gold finish the job with a win this time around? The WTOP Sports team breaks down the primetime rematch. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle presented by MGM National Harbor: Is Maryland's three-game losing skid cause for concern in College Park...

The Washington Commanders enter their bye week with the confusion and disappointment surrounding their tie at the Meadowlands but looking ahead to a crucial Week 15 rematch with the New York Giants flexed to primetime. The WTOP Sports team breaks down the final stretch run for the Burgundy and Gold and reminisces about the last time Washington’s NFL team was tops in the local sports landscape. Als...

The Washington Commanders are the NFL's hottest team since Week 6 and in control (or, dare we say, command) of a playoff spot in the NFC. Can the Burgundy and Gold cut the Giants down to size and make a surge up in the seeding? The WTOP Sports team lays the blueprint for how they can make it happen. Come inside the D.C. Sports Huddle presented by MGM National Harbor with WTOP Sports Director Georg...

The Washington Commanders are winners of five of their last six games to sit on the cusp of a wild card playoff berth. Does a path to the postseason for the Burgundy and Gold require a win over Atlanta on Sunday?  Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle presented by MGM National Harbor: The WTOP Sports team shares what in the D.C. sports landscape they're thankful for -- and introduce an intriguing nam...