Jacory Croskey-Merritt Isn’t Tanking - And Neither Are the Commanders
The Washington Commanders may be out of the playoff picture, but don’t mistake that for a team that’s checked out. With just three games left in a tough season, the Commanders are still grinding - and no one embodies that mindset more than rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Drafted No. 245 overall in 2025, Croskey-Merritt knows what it means to fight for every snap. And in a year where the Commanders have struggled to find consistency, he's not just playing out the string - he's playing for something bigger.
Pride. Momentum.
A future.
“I’ve got three games to play. Shoot, I’m in the NFL,” Croskey-Merritt told 106.7 The Fan. “So whenever I get a chance to step on that field, you’ve got to go out and show out.”
That’s the kind of perspective you get from a player who’s had to claw his way into the league. Nothing has been handed to Croskey-Merritt, and he’s not about to take his foot off the gas just because the postseason isn’t in the cards. For him - and for a locker room still holding the line - these final games matter.
More Than Just a Rookie Trying to Stick
Croskey-Merritt’s performance in Week 15 against the Giants was a reminder of the burst and potential that turned heads earlier this season. While some fans are already looking toward the draft, the rookie is focused on finishing strong - not just for himself, but for the teammates who’ve battled beside him all year.
“We’re not looking at it like that - nobody in the locker room,” he said. “We’ve got three more chances to play the game we love, and we wanna just build momentum going into the next season.
So, that’s what it’s gonna do for us. We’re just trying to build momentum and just to go out there with our brothers.
We’re not going to quit on each other.”
That last line hits home. “We’re not going to quit on each other.” It’s the kind of thing you hear from a locker room that still believes in itself, even if the standings suggest otherwise.
Dan Quinn's Culture Still Holding Strong
Head coach Dan Quinn came into Washington with a clear mission: build a culture rooted in toughness, accountability, and unity. That culture is being tested now - and it’s holding.
The Commanders are 4-10, but they haven’t fractured. The effort is still there.
The belief is still there. And guys like Croskey-Merritt are leading by example.
It’s easy to stay locked in when you’re winning. It’s much harder when the season hasn’t gone your way. But this team is still showing up, still playing hard, and still trying to lay the foundation for something better.
Their win over the Giants didn’t shake up the playoff race, but it did send a message: this team isn’t mailing it in. They’re still fighting, still competing, and still trying to grow - together.
Croskey-Merritt Eyes a Strong Finish
For Croskey-Merritt, these last three games are about more than just stats or tape. They’re about proving he belongs - not just as a late-round pick who flashed early, but as a player who can be a key piece moving forward.
He took the league by surprise earlier in the season, and now he’s working to recapture that spark. If he can, it’ll go a long way toward solidifying his role heading into 2026.
And if you think he’s going to let talk of draft position or offseason plans distract him?
Think again.
Croskey-Merritt is still running hard, still chasing every yard, and still playing like a guy who knows what it means to earn your spot in the NFL. And for a Commanders team trying to finish the season with purpose, that’s exactly the kind of energy they need.