The Commanders brought in a sizable group of free agents on Saturday, with 10 players getting tryout looks as Washington continues sorting through roster options.
The workout list featured two centers, a guard, three tight ends, three defensive backs and a quarterback: C Gus Hartwig, C Trey Hill, G Joe Michalski, TE Chris Myarick, TE Donald Parham, DB Eli Ricks, TE John Stephens Jr, DB Kary Vincent Jr, QB E.J. Warner and DB Dee Williams.
Among that group, Donald Parham stands out as the most familiar name. The 28-year-old tight end originally signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent out of Stetson, but that stay was short-lived before he landed with Washington.
Parham’s time in Washington was brief as well. The Commanders waived him coming out of the preseason, and he later spent a short stretch on their practice squad. From there, his path took him to the XFL’s Dallas Renegades before he signed with the Chargers in April of 2020.
His career has since bounced around a bit. Parham returned to Los Angeles on a one-year deal, re-signed with the Chargers again as an exclusive rights free agent, then landed yet another one-year contract in March of 2023 before being among their final roster cuts.
After that, he caught on with the Broncos practice squad and later joined the Steelers last year, though he ended up on their injured reserve list in June.
On the field, Parham played in six games for the Chargers in 2023 and recorded 27 catches for 285 yards and four touchdowns.
In Other News...
Wes Welker Might Be Shaping A Commanders Breakout Fans Will Notice
Wes Welkers latest stop has put him in a familiar kind of teaching role, and the Commanders are already seeing why it matters. Working with Washingtons tight ends, Welker has brought the perspective of a former elite receiver into a room that can benefit from sharper technique, cleaner routes and a more nuanced understanding of how to create separation. Chig Okonkwo, in particular, has emerged as a player drawing attention from the work, praising Welkers expertise and the new details he is absorbing.
For a Commanders offense looking ahead to the 2026 season, that kind of coaching can carry real weight even before the pads come on. Tight ends often become difference-makers in subtle ways, and Welkers background gives Washington a teacher who understands how to stress defenses from multiple angles. If Okonkwo keeps building on what he is learning now, he could become one of the more noticeable breakouts on the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Luke McCaffrey Is Giving Commanders Fans A Reason To Watch Closely
Training camp has given the Commanders at least one young player worth tracking closely in Luke McCaffrey. The 2024 third-round pick arrived in Washington as a converted quarterback, and his early work at wide receiver has started to match the kind of developmental upside the team hoped for when it took him. Former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen pointed to McCaffreys growth as a receiver, returner and blocker, all areas that can help a young player carve out a real job once the pads come on for good.
For a Commanders roster with several young wideouts jockeying for playing time, McCaffrey does not need to be the finished product to matter. He just needs to keep stacking the kind of camp reps that suggest he is more than a curiosity from last summer. If he can keep building on what has shown up early, Washington may have a player who can force his way into a significant role this season rather than merely flashing in passing camp reports. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Still Have One Big Question Around Jayden Daniels
Training camp has opened with Washingtons defense getting the better of the early exchanges, while Jayden Daniels worked through a slow first day before looking sharper on day two. The bigger concern around the rookie quarterback has not been Daniels himself so much as the pieces around him, with Terry McLaurin once again standing out as the one proven target the offense can count on.
Elsewhere in the receiver room, the early returns have not inspired much confidence, and that has only sharpened the conversation about whether Washington needs to add another established pass catcher before the season gets rolling. For a team trying to make life easier on Daniels right away, the next move at wideout may end up being one of the most important storylines of camp. [Read more 🡒]