Jacory Croskey-Merritt spent last season as Washington’s feel-good story. This year, the Commanders need him to be much more than that.
What started as a seventh-round flier turned into one of the few real bright spots in Washington’s 2025 season. Croskey-Merritt arrived with almost no expectations, then forced his way into a featured role so convincingly that Brian Robinson Jr. was traded to the San Francisco 49ers to clear the runway.
That kind of rise made him an instant favorite before he ever played a regular-season snap. Once the games started, he only strengthened that grip on the fan base. Even with inconsistent usage, Croskey-Merritt finished as Washington’s leading rusher with 805 yards and eight touchdowns, a huge return for the final running back taken in his draft class.
Now the tone around him has changed. The surprise factor is gone, and with it the luxury of being judged as a nice bonus. Croskey-Merritt enters Year 2 as the Commanders’ primary runner, which means the standard shifts from “impressive for where he was drafted” to simply producing like the lead back.
That assignment comes with a catch: he’s had a limited offseason. A groin injury kept him out of all preseason action, and it wasn’t the first setback he dealt with over the summer. Washington expects him to be ready for Week 1, but the first test will be a serious one against the Philadelphia Eagles’ vicious defensive front, loaded with game-changers.
There is, though, one encouraging development that could matter a lot. Croskey-Merritt has added considerable muscle this offseason, a point that should not be overlooked. Questions about his thin frame were part of why he slid in the draft, and likely part of why Washington used him in select situations last season.
This time, he should get a real chance to show what he can do as a lead NFL back. He’ll still be part of a committee, with Rachaad White and sixth-round rookie Kaytron Allen in the mix, but the backfield belongs to Croskey-Merritt.
White is there as the pass-catching option, while Allen figures to be used situationally. Neither should take a major bite out of Croskey-Merritt’s workload.
The bigger storyline is whether he can expand his game. If the added strength helps him as a blocker and he becomes even a serviceable receiving threat, his ceiling rises fast. In David Blough’s new offense, which should lean toward establishing the run, Croskey-Merritt has a chance to be a dynamic weapon.
If the touches come and the role grows the way Washington expects, a 1,000-yard season and even Pro Bowl consideration would not be out of reach.
He’s already beaten the odds once. Now the question is how much farther he can push this thing.
In Other News...
Commanders May Be Nearing The End With One Of Their Steadiest Veterans
Tress Way has been one of the most familiar and steady faces in Washington since taking over punting duties in 2014, and the veteran specialist is now openly acknowledging the finish line may be coming into view. Way told reporters the 2026 season could be his last, and he has already let general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn know he is strongly considering retirement.
For a player who has earned three Pro Bowl selections and was recently voted a team captain for the fifth time, the possibility carries real weight inside a locker room that has long leaned on his consistency and professionalism. Way has been part of so much of the franchises recent history that his decision will resonate well beyond special teams, even if the final call is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Depth Chart Just Settled A Few Camp Battles Early
The first depth chart of the 2026 season gave the Commanders an early snapshot of where a few camp competitions stand after the opening stretch of work. Treylon Burks showed up as the third receiver ahead of rookie Antonio Williams, while undrafted rookie Tanoa Togiai landed backup spots at both guard positions, giving Washington a clearer picture of how the early roster puzzle is taking shape on offense.
On the other side of the ball, the back end of the defense stayed mostly familiar, with the top cornerbacks and safeties holding their places. Special teams brought one of the more notable developments, too, as Stevens emerged as the new kicker after beating out Jake Moody, another sign that the roster is starting to sort itself out even if a few jobs still have plenty of camp left to play. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Fans Will Have Strong Feelings About This Kyle Shanahan Debate
Kyle Shanahans name has a way of stirring things up in Washington, even when there is no real movement behind the scenes. NFL insider Jason La Canfora recently floated the idea that Shanahans time with the 49ers could come to an end after the upcoming season, and from there the discussion quickly turned to the Commanders, where the connection is obvious enough to get attention. For a franchise still sorting out its long-term identity, any conversation involving Shanahan naturally pulls fans into the larger debate about what the next era could look like.
Still, the path from speculation to reality looks extremely narrow right now. Shanahan is under contract, has his own history with the organization, and his career has long pointed in a different direction than a return to Washington in either a head coach or offensive coordinator role. For now, there have been no official moves or decisions, which leaves this as more of a fan-friendly debate than a true pursuit, even if it is the kind of possibility Commanders supporters will keep talking about. [Read more 🡒]