The first week of Commanders training camp gave Washington a pretty clear early read: the defense has been living ahead of the offense, and a few names have already started separating themselves.
That doesn’t mean the offense has been a mess. It just looks like the usual early-camp pattern, with the defense settling in faster.
In Washington’s case, though, there’s an added wrinkle: both sides are adjusting to new coordinators. Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones has been mixing up looks against quarterback Jayden Daniels, and that has made for a valuable early test for Daniels and offensive coordinator David Blough.
Washington finished its opening week Saturday with three non-padded practices and a walkthrough, then took Sunday off. The Commanders are set to put on pads Monday for the first time since camp opened.
One of the clearest winners so far has been running back Rachaad White. It’s tough to fully judge backs before the pads come on, but White has still flashed in the ways that matter: finding the right lanes, trusting his eyes, running with burst and showing he can catch the ball out of the backfield. Jacory Croskey-Merritt has not been a problem, either, but White has looked terrific early and should be a significant contributor in 2026.
At receiver, the picture behind Terry McLaurin is still murky. Treylon Burks has been the most impressive of the group, but he also missed time after getting sidelined on Day 2.
He returned Saturday after sitting out one day, and his size, strength and pedigree make him a real candidate for the No. 2 job. The issue is durability.
Other receivers have had their moments, but no one has made a strong enough case yet to shut the door on Stefon Diggs.
Tight end Colson Yankoff has also made noise. Washington plans to use the tight ends more often under Blough, with Chig Okonkwo leading the way and John Bates and Ben Sinnott set for meaningful roles as well.
Yankoff, though, has made sure he’s not being overlooked. “Don't forget about me.”
The third-year player, who went undrafted in 2024, has made the roster in each of the last two seasons. He’s a strong athlete, a special teams standout, and someone who could become an offensive weapon because of his background as a college running back and receiver.
The center spot, meanwhile, has been a problem area. Nick Allegretti went down on the first day with what Dan Quinn later called a calf strain, and the expectation is that he’ll miss about a week.
That opened the door for Julian Good-Jones and rookie sixth-round pick Matt Gulbin, but the results weren’t pretty. Washington had to use players like Brandon Coleman and Trent Scott to take snaps on the side.
It’s fair not to pile on Good-Jones and Gulbin, considering they have only two NFL snaps between them. But the Commanders are still paying for the lack of a proven backup behind Allegretti, who is hardly a lock at center himself. Washington addressed that on Sunday by signing Trey Hill, who will add depth while Allegretti is out.
On the defensive side, Odafe Oweh has been the biggest Week 1 standout. If one player really separated himself, it was probably him.
His blend of size, speed, length, power and athleticism has been impossible to ignore, and Washington simply hasn’t had many players who look like that in years. He’s been making plays every day, and even when he isn’t directly finishing one, he’s helping create them for others.
His play against Jayden Daniels on the first day was the kind of moment that should have Commanders fans paying close attention.
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Day 5 of Commanders training camp brought a familiar mix of installation, evaluation and depth-chart sorting, with Dan Quinn using his latest media session to walk through where things stand as Washington keeps shaping practice and player roles. He addressed the recent addition of Fabian Moreau, offered praise for linebacker Leo Chenal and edge rusher Odafe Oweh, and touched on the ongoing battle at left guard while also sizing up the early progress of the rookies.
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But living and playing in the same place where you grew up can also sharpen every misstep, every decision and every result. Chase Youngs experience offered a reminder that being the hometown player comes with a different kind of spotlight, one shaped as much by personal expectations as by what happens on the field, and it leaves the Commanders in that familiar tension of wondering whether the comfort of home can ever fully offset the pressure that comes with it. [Read more 🡒]