The Washington Commanders head into Week 1 with a road trip to Philadelphia and a matchup that comes with no soft landing. They’ll open the 2026 regular season Sunday at Lincoln Financial Stadium, where the Eagles await at 4:25 p.m. EDT.
That kind of divisional opener would be tough anywhere. Doing it on the road only sharpens the edge, and this Commanders group sounds eager to prove plenty of people wrong right out of the gate. There’s a clear chip-on-the-shoulder feel to the way they’re being framed heading into Sunday.
One area still under the microscope is Washington’s run game. Last season, then-rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt eventually worked his way into the starting job after injuries opened the door and his play kept him there, but the backfield still operated mostly as a committee. The plan looks familiar this year, with Wild Bill, Rachaad White and rookie Kaytron Allen all in the mix.
That’s what makes the first Gimmie Him call of 2026 pretty simple: Saquon Barkley.
If Washington could swipe one player from Philadelphia, Barkley would be the answer. He’s being placed among the modern game’s elite backs, alongside Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey, and even without hitting the 2,000-yard mark in 2025 after doing it in 2024, his value hasn’t changed. He still brings the full package: explosive rushing, reliable receiving work when needed, and the kind of scoring production that usually lands in the neighborhood of 10 touchdowns a season.
Washington’s search for a true, steady ground-game centerpiece has been going on for years. The Commanders haven’t had that kind of consistency since Clinton Portis, with Alfred Morris’ three-year stretch standing as the lone real exception - and even that run is now more than a decade in the rearview.
And with Jayden Daniels likely part of the committee element whether offensive coordinator David Blough wants it or not, the need for a back who can anchor the group is obvious. In this setup, Barkley is the dream target: the kind of runner who wouldn’t just help for a few weeks, but would be worth holding onto for the long haul.
In Other News...
Commanders Injury Report Brings Relief Before Week 1 But One Detail Matters
The first official injury report of the season gave the Commanders a noticeably healthier look than they had two weeks ago, a welcome development as Week 1 approaches. Odafe Oweh, Bill Croskey-Merritt and KLavon Chaisson were back in limited practice, while Nick Allegretti, Jordan Magee, Marcus Mariota, Charles Omenihu and Ben Sinnott were listed as full participants, a sign that the roster is moving in the right direction after an early stretch of health concerns.
Dan Quinn still had one important caveat, though, and it speaks to how early this part of the calendar remains. Everyone was out there in some form, but not everyone is working at the same intensity or for the same length of time, which means the report offers encouragement without fully answering how ready the group is for opening week. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Left Tackle Problem They Can't Ignore
The Commanders moved quickly to release D.J. Humphries shortly before their season opener, but the timing of the decision only sharpened an already uncomfortable problem up front. With Laremy Tunsil dealing with a torn triceps injury, Washington is expected to turn to third-round pick Brandon Coleman at left tackle, a spot that suddenly looks a lot less secure than it did when camp opened.
What makes the situation even more urgent is the lack of a clear answer behind Coleman. Washington has not made a corresponding roster move to replace Humphries, leaving the depth chart thin at one of the most important positions on the field. For a team trying to get through the early part of the season without its top option at left tackle, the margin for error is looking awfully small. [Read more 🡒]
Deebo Samuel Just Made Washingtons Offseason Look Risky
Deebo Samuels return to the 49ers late in the offseason already has a way of sharpening the hindsight on Washingtons wide receiver decisions. He looked like the same multipurpose weapon right away in San Franciscos opener, catching passes, finding the end zone and even handling kickoff returns, a reminder of how much he can alter a game when the ball is in his hands.
Washington moved on and chose to build its passing game around other receivers heading into the new season, a bet that now comes with a little more pressure attached. Samuels early impact does not settle anything by itself, but it does underline the kind of versatility the Commanders passed on and why that decision could linger if their offense ever needs a jolt. [Read more 🡒]