Jeremy McNichols is running out of runway in Washington.
The veteran back re-signed with the Commanders in March, hoping his two seasons in D.C. would help him keep carving out a role in a backfield that now looks far more crowded than it did when he came back. McNichols has spent the last two years on the margins, but productive enough to matter - and with the 2026 campaign looming, he’s trying to turn that familiarity into another stay.
That’s a tougher sell now than it seemed in the spring. Washington’s running back room has filled up fast, with second-year back Bill Croskey-Merritt and incoming difference-maker Rachaad White sitting at the top of the depth chart.
Behind them, the competition only gets tighter. Sixth-round pick Kaytron Allen and free agent Robert Henry Jr. have already reportedly turned heads in camp, and they backed that up in their joint preseason debut.
For McNichols, the timing couldn’t be worse. He suffered a quad injury last week, forcing Washington to bring in Craig Reynolds as another experienced body. Reynolds isn’t locked into anything long term, but every added name makes McNichols’ path narrower as the roster cutdown clock keeps ticking.
The Commanders have already seen how unforgiving that pressure can be. Jerome Ford, who signed a one-year deal with Washington this spring, had two seasons with 500+ rushing yards on his resume, but that wasn’t enough to save him from an IR assignment that will effectively end his fifth season before it begins.
So while Ford is out of the immediate picture, McNichols still has work to do. He needs to get healthy, get back on the field, and convince Washington’s front office that the safest choice is sticking with the veteran they know rather than rolling with one of the younger options pushing up from behind.
In Other News...
Commanders Could Face A Costly Joey Porter Jr. Decision
The cornerback market is starting to feel a little more interesting, and Washington is right in the middle of it. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, multiple teams are keeping an eye on whether the Steelers might be open to moving Joey Porter Jr., a Pro Bowl-caliber defender who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Pittsburghs cap situation has made the possibility at least worth monitoring, and any conversation would almost certainly begin with the kind of compensation that usually comes with a premium young corner.
For the Commanders, the appeal is obvious. Cornerback remains a need, and injuries have only sharpened the urgency of finding more reliable help on the back end. Porter would fit the profile of a player worth pursuing, but he would also come with a price tag that could force Washington to weigh immediate help against the cost of paying to get it. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels May Finally Have The Support Washington Needed
The Commanders spent the offseason reshaping the help around Jayden Daniels, and the changes start with the staff. Kliff Kingsbury is out as offensive coordinator, replaced by David Blough, who was promoted from assistant quarterbacks coach, and the move is being framed as a chance to better tailor the offense to Daniels strengths. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that Blough is expected to help Daniels maximize his abilities, particularly by leaning into the quarterbacks football IQ and his command at the line.
Washington has also tried to fortify the supporting cast, with free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs stepping into a leadership role alongside Terry McLaurin. Even with those additions, the bigger question still hangs over the offense: whether Daniels can stay healthy and whether the unit can hold up after losing starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Those are the kinds of variables that can decide whether all this support actually turns into progress. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Have 3 Roster Races Fans Need To Watch Vs Lions
After a win over the Dolphins, the Commanders are turning their attention to their next preseason test against the Lions, and the roster picture is still taking shape. Dan Quinn said several starters are expected to play, though the exact plan has not been set, which should give this game a little more weight than a typical August tune-up for a team still sorting through the back end of the roster.
The most interesting eyes will be on the cornerback group without Trey Amos, the safety spot next to Nick Cross, and the race for the third wide receiver role behind Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. Those jobs may not decide the season, but in a camp where every rep counts, this is the kind of game that can separate a candidate from the crowd and start to clarify who is really trending toward a spot. [Read more 🡒]