Ben Sinnott may finally have the kind of runway that was missing in Washington.
For a player taken 53rd overall in 2024, the early returns have been slower than anyone around the Commanders probably wanted. But with Kliff Kingsbury out of the picture and David Blough now steering the offense, Sinnott is getting a fresh start - and, by his own account, a much better fit.
The difference, Sinnott said, is obvious.
"It's not even close. So many different variations.
Today we're lining up at number one [receiver on the outside], we're running five-step ins, we're running corners, we're running options, we're running flat [routes]. We're just doing everything.
It's so much fun. It's a breath of fresh air for this offense and how it uses tight ends."
That kind of usage is exactly what Washington wanted when it drafted Sinnott for his athleticism and all-around upside. Instead, he spent much of his first stretch in the league buried behind Chig Okonkwo, a free-agent addition, and John Bates, who has built his reputation as a strong blocker. The path to snaps was narrow, and under Kingsbury, it looked even tighter.
Now the door is open a little wider.
Blough’s offense appears built to lean on tight ends, which gives Sinnott a real chance to carve out a role if he can take advantage of it. And this is the point in his career where that matters most. Year 3 is supposed to be the stage where a player stops being a project and starts becoming a dependable piece.
So far, Sinnott has shown signs that the switch in systems could matter. On Day 2 of training camp, even before the pads came on, he stood out to those watching. The confidence around him - and from him - seems stronger than it has at any point since he arrived.
That doesn’t mean the job is done. Not even close.
Sinnott still has to stay locked in, keep growing as a route runner, adjust to Blough’s demands and make the most of every chance he gets. Preseason work could be especially valuable if Blough decides to feature him more heavily, giving Sinnott a chance to build momentum when the stakes are lower.
And there’s another reason Washington has reason to keep betting on him: he can block.
For now, the story is simple. Sinnott has a coach who seems willing to use him, an offense that fits his skill set better, and a real opening to turn promise into production. If Blough can get more out of him than Kingsbury did, the Commanders stand to benefit in a big way.
In Other News...
Commanders Uniform Ranking Reignites The Rebrand Debate Among Fans
The Commanders 2026 uniform rollout earlier this year was meant to add some edge to the brand, especially with the all-black Hail Raiser alternate and its spear-centered logo. Instead, it has become part of a familiar conversation around how the team presents itself, and whether the latest look is enough to settle a fan base that has spent years debating the rebrand. The alternate set is only scheduled to come out twice this season, but it is already carrying more symbolism than a typical jersey reveal.
USA TODAYs Nate Davis only added to the noise by ranking Washingtons uniforms 31st in his latest power list, a drop from 30th before. The placement is a small slide, but it lands in a season where the visual identity still feels like an open question, especially with the spear drawing attention as both a design choice and a cultural signal. For a team still trying to define what the Commanders should look like, every uniform ranking seems to invite the same larger debate right back to the surface. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Face Serious Competition In The Stefon Diggs Race
Stefon Diggs has remained on the Commanders radar as Adam Peters keeps an eye on the veteran receiver market, but Washington is still operating in the space between interest and action. For a team looking to keep its passing-game options flexible, Diggs makes sense as a proven name worth following, even if nothing has moved into official territory yet.
The wrinkle is that Washington may not be chasing alone. Kansas City has also been linked to Diggs, and the Chiefs have a clear need to take a harder look at wideout help as injuries thin that room. For the Commanders, that means a player they are monitoring could turn into a real bidding contest before anyone has the chance to make the first move. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Just Opened A New Center Battle In Camp
Training camp just got a little more interesting for Washington along the interior of the line. The Commanders have added center Trey Hill after working out several players, giving themselves another body at a spot that suddenly needs attention because of an injury to the projected starter. Hill arrives with a little league experience behind him, having spent time with the Bengals, Packers, Bears and Titans.
The move also forced a roster shift, with cornerback Tre Hawkins getting waived to create room. For now, the new addition gives Washington another option in camp as the coaching staff sorts through the backup picture and waits to see how the center situation develops. [Read more 🡒]