Not everything went smoothly for the Washington Commanders in their 20-7 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday night at Northwest Stadium.
The final score looked comfortable, and Washington clearly took control after the opening quarter. But that first stretch was rough enough to leave a mark.
Miami started backed up at its own 7-yard line after holding on the opening kickoff, then marched 93 yards in 14 plays over seven minutes to score. The part that stood out was how easily the Dolphins moved the ball on the ground and how often Washington’s front seven looked out of place.
Johnny Newton was right in the middle of that discussion. Drafted No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, he’s supposed to be a player the Commanders can count on to grow into a difference-maker.
Instead, Miami’s opening drive featured repeated signs that Newton and the defensive line were getting controlled at the point of attack. The Dolphins stacked up runs of 5, 14, 5, 6, 7, 6, 3, 1, and 1 yard before finishing the drive in the end zone.
Daron Payne’s name belongs in that conversation too. He hasn’t exactly lit up the league since the 2022 season, and with this being the final year of his lucrative contract, the Commanders may have some hard decisions ahead at defensive tackle. If Newton continues to struggle and Payne doesn’t return to top form, Adam Peters could be looking at a major overhaul at the position next offseason.
Miami wasn’t done after the touchdown drive. The Dolphins followed it with another possession that covered 48 yards before Washington finally forced a stop on 4th & 3 from the Commanders’ 48-yard line.
That sequence included runs of 13 and 9 yards and a 27-yard pass play. By the end of the first quarter, Washington had given up 141 yards.
The bigger picture is clear enough: the Commanders won the game, and the middle and late portions went much better. But that opening quarter raised legitimate questions, especially about whether Newton is ready to take the step Washington needs from him in year three.
The new scheme should help him by moving him from an inside defensive tackle spot farther outside, closer to where a defensive end plays up on the offensive tackle. Still, Friday night didn’t offer much proof that the third season will look any different.
There were plenty of good things for Washington in the win, and those have been covered elsewhere. But this side of the story mattered too.
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For now, Newtons roster spot is safe, but the competition around him has sharpened the stakes. Other linemen are outperforming him, and Washington still wants to see him become a more complete player before it can be sure of his long-term role, leaving his path more precarious than it looked when he arrived. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Quinn Just Sharpened Washingtons Biggest Camp Battles
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The biggest competition remains at center, where the reps are still being sorted out and every practice matters as the staff evaluates who can handle the job. Quinn also touched on linebacker Sonny Styles development and the teams communication across the board, a reminder that Washingtons training camp is less about finishing answers than building toward them. [Read more 🡒]