The Washington Commanders spent the offseason turning over plenty of pieces. They brought in new coordinators, added other new coaches, and shuffled the roster with new faces coming and others going. Adam Peters stayed busy, but even with all that movement, the biggest questions around this team still hang in the air as the regular season approaches.
A lot of that uncertainty centers on the offensive line. Laremy Tunsil could be out for the season, Nick Allegretti is dealing with a calf strain, and the unit’s depth is already a concern. Beyond availability, there are also doubts about the overall talent on the line and whether it can keep Jayden Daniels protected.
Sam Cosmi isn’t buying into any of the noise.
The Commanders’ right guard was asked whether he takes the outside talk about the offensive line personally, and he made it clear he’s not spending much time on it.
"I really don't care," Cosmi replies. "I mean, yeah, sure.
I'm excited about what we've got, and we can prove everybody wrong. But I really don't care about everybody else, to be honest with you.
I care about the guys in that room and our ability and what we're able to do. Really, it's just us versus us.
We're gonna try to be the best five guys on that football field. I think, from a relationship standpoint, from a communication standpoint, we just have a great group of guys.
I'm excited to go to battle with them versus Philly."
That matchup comes in just under two weeks, when Washington opens the season against the Philadelphia Eagles. For all the questions being asked from the outside, the Commanders are presenting a united front. The players are sticking together, they know what they’re supposed to do, and the offensive linemen sound eager for the chance to show they’ll be fine.
Whether they can back that up is still an open question. But at least heading into Week 1, they look ready to meet a division opponent with a group that believes in itself.
In Other News...
Commanders Face One Big Week 1 Problem Before Brutal Start
The early stretch of Washingtons 2026 schedule leaves little room for easing in, and the Commanders are already dealing with a familiar kind of September concern: availability. They open on the road against Philadelphia and Dallas, and the injury list has already taken a bite out of both lines, with star left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive tackle Johnny Newton sidelined for now.
There is some good news in the recent return of several key players to practice, including Daron Payne, Marcus Mariota, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and KLavon Chaisson. Odafe Oweh is also working back from a calf injury and is expected to be close to full practice soon, which gives Washington at least some hope that the defense can get healthier before the opener. What matters next is whether that progress comes fast enough to steady a team facing one of the leagues toughest starts right out of the gate. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Kicking Battle Just Brought A Tough Roster Decision
The Commanders kicking competition ended with a notable shake-up in camp, as undrafted rookie Drew Stevens won the job and pushed incumbent Jake Moody off the roster. It is the sort of decision teams hope to avoid late in the summer, but Washington clearly decided the rookie had earned the chance, giving Stevens one of the 32 NFL roster spots available to kickers.
Moody has since landed on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, while Stevens is left to savor a path that once began as a preferred walk-on in college. For a young specialist, making an NFL roster is a hard climb under any circumstances, and Stevens described the moment as a chance he is grateful to have, even as the real test of his NFL future is only beginning. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Rookies Are Forcing A Bigger Week 1 Debate Than Expected
Training camp has given Washington a clearer look at its 2023 draft class, and it has also created a real conversation about how soon some of those rookies might matter. Linebacker Sonny Styles, wide receiver Antonio Williams, edge rusher Joshua Josephs and running back Kaytron Allen have all spent the summer trying to carve out roles, with the staff sorting through different levels of progress as preseason work continues.
What makes the evaluation interesting is that this does not look like a class destined for one simple label. Some of the rookies appear better suited to immediate contributions, while others may need more time before they fit into the regular-season plan, and those distinctions can shift quickly once the games start counting. For Washington, the Week 1 picture is still taking shape, and the rookies are pushing to make it a tougher decision than expected. [Read more 🡒]