The Washington Commanders put out their first depth chart of the 2026 season, and the headline was simple: not much drama.
Most of the starting jobs were already spoken for, and the team’s Week 1 look mostly confirmed what had been expected. The more interesting details came a little further down the roster, where a few battles are still worth watching.
On offense, Jayden Daniels sits atop the quarterback group with Marcus Mariota and Athan Kaliakmanis behind him. At running back, Jacory Croskey-Merritt is listed first, followed by Rachaad White and Kaytron Allen.
The receiver group has a few layers to it. Terry McLaurin and Dyami Brown are listed together, with Stefon Diggs and Jaylin Lane on the next line.
The spot that jumps out is Treylon Burks ahead of Antonio Williams and Luke McCaffrey. Burks is listed as WR3, and that puts him in front of the rookie Williams, who turned in an impressive summer and should still be part of offensive coordinator David Blough’s plans at some point.
Burks gives Washington something different with his size and ability after the catch. McCaffrey is listed behind both Burks and Williams, which lines up with the idea that he was fighting for the seventh and final receiver spot on the 53-man roster.
At tight end, Chig Okonkwo and Ben Sinnott are first, with John Bates and Colson Yankoff on the next line.
The offensive line chart also offered one detail worth keeping an eye on: undrafted rookie Tanoa Togiai is the backup at both guard spots. He is listed behind Chris Paul at left guard and Sam Cosmi at right guard. Even with that in place, it still would not be a surprise if Washington adds a veteran on the interior.
The defense brought no real surprises either. Robertson and Sainristil remain the top two cornerbacks, while Trey Amos is still sidelined.
Reaves is listed as the top free safety, though Martin is expected to see plenty of snaps as well. Inside linebacker follows the same pattern, with Chenal set to split time with Styles and Luvu.
On special teams, McCaffrey and Lane are back in their roles after being among the best at their positions in 2025. Stevens is Washington’s new kicker after winning the job over Jake Moody a couple of weeks into training camp.
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Commanders May Be Nearing The End With One Of Their Steadiest Veterans
Tress Way has been one of the most familiar fixtures in Washington for more than a decade, handling punting duties for the Commanders since 2014 and earning a reputation as one of the steadiest veterans in the building. He has been selected to three Pro Bowls and was recently voted a team captain for the fifth time, a reminder of how long he has meant something to this team beyond just flipping field position.
Now, Way has told reporters the 2026 season may be his final one, and he has already informed general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn that he is strongly considering retirement. For a player who has been such a constant through so much organizational change, the possibility of the end of his run adds a little more weight to what has long been one of Washingtons quietest but most dependable positions. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Fans Will Have Strong Feelings About This Kyle Shanahan Debate
Kyle Shanahans name is bound to stir emotions around Washington any time it surfaces, and Jason La Canforas latest speculation has done exactly that. The NFL insider floated the idea that Shanahans time with the San Francisco 49ers could wind down after the upcoming season, then pointed to a possible link back to the Commanders, a franchise that still carries plenty of history with the coach and his family.
Still, there are plenty of reasons to treat the idea as a long shot, whether the role in question is head coach or offensive coordinator. Shanahan is under contract in San Francisco, his previous experience with Washington did not end neatly, and his career arc has moved him firmly into the leagues top coaching tier, which makes any return harder to envision. For now, no moves or decisions have been reported, but the debate alone is enough to get Commanders fans talking. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Enter Week 1 With A Different Look And Real Pressure
The opener has a way of stripping away all the offseason noise, and for the Commanders, it arrives with Philadelphia wearing a different look than the one that closed last season on top. The Eagles come in off a Super Bowl run but have spent the offseason reshaping the roster, creating a new kind of early test for a division rival that has not always found consistency of its own. For Washington, Week 1 is less about proving any grand theory and more about seeing how it stacks up against a team that still carries real weight, even after the changes.
Philadelphias pressure point is obvious enough. A title changes expectations, and major roster adjustments only sharpen the scrutiny when the first meaningful game arrives. Washington will be watching closely for how the Eagles settle into their new form, because the opener can reveal more than a month of speculation ever could. For a Commanders team trying to find steadier footing, this matchup is a chance to learn quickly whether the gap looks the same, smaller, or something in between. [Read more 🡒]