When big names hit the market, the Redskins always seem to find their way into the rumor mill. It’s no different with Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler. Denver is accepting trade offers, citing Cutler’s inability to work with new coach Josh McDaniels. The Redskins already have a young quarterback in Jason Campbell, but his contract expires at the end of the season, and the sides have not been working on an extension. The Broncos would likely want a quarterback as part of any trade involving Cutler - their current backup is Chris Simms, who has thrown just two passes since 2006.

The Redskins preseason schedule will feature a nationally televised game against the Patriots.

The Redskins preseason schedule will feature a nationally televised game against the Patriots.

The Redskins preseason schedule was released today, including one nationally-televised game.

Offseason workouts begin tomorrow for the Redskins, and the team expects strong attendance, including new defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Vinny Cerrato, executive vice president of football operations, is emphasizing offseason time as a way for the players to build camraderie in the months leading to the season. He negotiated workout-attendance clauses into the contracts of Haynesworth and cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

ASHBURN The lower level at Redskins Park houses the weight room and conditioning equipment and remains mostly silent in the offseason. The heavy lifting is done in the executive offices, where this season the Redskins were again major players in the free agent market. Late Thursday and into Friday morning, team executives were working the phones as they re-signed cornerback DeAngelo Hall as well as signed free agent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and guard Derrick Dockery.

ASHBURN—Three-and-a-half sacks later, Jason Taylor has left Washington. The three-time, first-team All-Pro defensive end arrived last year in a trade with Miami, in part for the Redskins’ second-round pick in this year’s draft. That pick will remain with the Dolphins. He was scheduled to make $8.5 million this season, and rumor of his departure began to circulate after the Skins went on a $181 million spending spree Friday. But the final factor was not money—the team thought he would be more productive in 2009 alongside Albert Haynesworth—but rather time.

NEW YORK - Brett Favre is done slinging passes with his rocket right arm - maybe for good. The 39-year-old quarterback told the New York Jets yesterday that he was retiring after 18 seasons, ending a record-setting career in which he became one of the NFL’s all-time greats. “We had an all-encompassing conversation,“ owner Woody Johnson said of his discussion with Favre. “He told me at that point that he had made his decision to retire and thanked everybody and talked about what a great experience he had with the New York Jets.“

NFL playoff predictions. Our sportswriters make wild guesses on the teams they think will rise to the occasion.

NFL playoff predictions. Our sportswriters make wild guesses on the teams they think will rise to the occasion.

Jim Zorn addresses the media each Monday in an area about the size of a living room. He is given a podium and a Redskins background to create the appearance of a massive auditorium, though his left arm could grab a soda from the Coke machine right next to him.

SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco 49ers followed Joe Nedney’s game-ending field goal with an even bigger bang, swiftly confirming that coach Mike Singletary will be back next year. Nedney kicked a 39-yard field goal as time expired, and the 49ers dramatically finished their late-season surge under their no-longer-interim coach with a 27-24 victory over the Washington Redskins yesterday.

Redskins: Naughty or Nice? On ProCast, our fearless football forecasters can’t decide whether Santa will bring candy or coal to the Skins Sunday.

Sammy Baugh, who set numerous passing records with the Washington Redskins in an era when NFL teams were running most every down, died yesterday, his son said. Mr. Baugh, who was 94 and had numerous health issues, died at Fisher County Hospital in Rotan, David Baugh said. “It wasn’t the same Sam we all knew,“ his son told The Associated Press. “He just finally wore out.“

Will Philly fans invade Redskins stadium? Earlier this year, Steelers fans made themselves a vocal, if not physical, majority when they faced the Redskins in Washington. That prompted an outcry from players, who said they had never seen things so bad at FedEx Field. Well, it may happen again this weekend. The Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1) remain in the playoff hunt after winning Monday night against Cleveland, and their rabid fan base lives less than three hours from the stadium.