The Washington Commanders’ offseason overhaul brought a new cast of coordinators and a few fresh faces, but one newcomer is already drawing the most attention. In The Athletic’s view, that player is running back Rachaad White.
Washington didn’t completely remake its offense, but the backfield is where the competition feels widest open as training camp approaches. The group has veterans, young players and enough depth to make the picture interesting, though not exactly settled. White’s speed and versatility have stood out enough for Coach Dan Quinn to praise him repeatedly during OTAs and minicamp, and that could matter as the Commanders settle into David Blough’s offense.
A committee approach would not be new for this team. After Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles tendon in Week 2 last season, Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt stepped in and emerged as a seventh-round steal, with Washington leaning on a rotation that also included Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols. That kind of shared workload could show up again in 2026, especially with the mix of backs Washington has on hand.
Croskey-Merritt still has work to do as a blocker and pass-catcher, but his burst as a runner gives the Commanders something to build around. White brings a different kind of value.
He spent his first four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has yet to post a 1,000-yard rushing season, and came closest in 2023 with 990 yards on the ground. He also offers the receiving ability that makes him useful in a variety of roles.
There’s another layer here, too. White is close with quarterback Jayden Daniels, dating back to their two seasons together at Arizona State in 2020-21. That connection could make him an easy fit in a backfield that already looks built for rotation.
If Croskey-Merritt keeps growing and White settles into a complementary role, Washington could have a dangerous tandem on its hands. The Commanders also have rookie Kaytron Allen and veteran Jerome Ford in the mix as they compete for spots alongside Croskey-Merritt, White and McNichols.
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DeAndre Hopkins has emerged as one of the more practical fallback ideas, the kind of low-risk addition that could bring depth and a steadying presence without forcing the offense to revolve around him. Stefon Diggs and Deebo Samuel Sr. have also been mentioned as possible options, but Hopkins stands out as a free-agent fit who could be pursued before training camp if Washington decides it wants more experience around its young quarterback. [Read more 🡒]