It’s a good thing the Commanders have strong veterans on their offense, knowing they’re missing several key pieces — not only receiver Terry McLaurin, but also backup receiver Noah Brown, starting right guard Sam Cosmi and starting left guard Brandon Coleman.
However, left tackle Laremy Tunsil showed again Wednesday why they traded for him. He was a strong protector for quarterback Jayden Daniels on the edge — his size and footwork were on display. Meanwhile, tight end Zach Ertz was, again, a reliable target over the middle — one coach said his footwork is even better than last year, allowing for more yards after the catch. That was evident Wednesday.
Running back Austin Ekeler and receiver Deebo Samuel were the other passing targets who made plays. But they will need someone else to help consistently until McLaurin and Brown are on the field.
- Corner Marshon Lattimore allowed one touchdown on a back-shoulder throw from Drake Maye. Lattimore said his burst is back, but still doesn’t feel his technique — mostly his footwork — is consistent enough yet. That’s what he’s focused on this summer.
- Rookie RT Josh Conerly Jr. did a better job Wednesday in pass protection — in 11-on-11 and one-on-one. There were a couple times, however, when veteran linebacker Harold Landry III was able to get inside him for a quick pressure.
- Undrafted free agent corner Car’lin Vigers has impressed the Commanders. He defended a fade to receiver Javon Baker with good positioning and sticking his arm up through the hands to deflect the ball.
- Undrafted free agent receiver Ja’Corey Brooks made a highlight one-handed catch for a touchdown. He was unable to come down with a contested catch in the end zone on a red zone throw later in the practice.
Camp recap: Who has been your standout performer of camp?
Rookie CB Trey Amos. There have been others, including CB Mike Sainristil, DE Dorance Armstrong and TE Zach Ertz. But Amos’ play has jumped out because he just arrived and appears to be an instant contributor. Coaches have raved about his patience. That, plus his length and speed, makes him dangerous in man coverage.
Camp recap: What is the biggest question to answer for your team in preseason games?
Can any of the other receivers step up with questions about Terry McLaurin’s contract hanging over the summer? Washington’s passing attack in camp has largely been about Ertz and WR Deebo Samuel. The Commanders need one of the other receivers to elevate, whether that’s rookie fourth-rounder Jaylin Lane, second-year Luke McCaffrey or veterans Michael Gallup and K.J. Osborn. With McLaurin still out and Noah Brown in and out while recovering from a spring knee injury, the Commanders need to assess their depth.
— Former Washington running back Antonio Gibson is still with the Patriots and spoke after practice about what it was like to see his former team. Most of the roster has been turned over since his days with the Burgundy & Gold, but he liked getting to see former teammates like Tress Way again. And he had one word for quarterback Jayden Daniels: “Special.”
— It was an up-and-down day for both sides of the ball, but there were certain aspects of the Commanders’ offense that truly shined. The best example of that was the connection between Daniels and tight end Zach Ertz. Daniels targeted Ertz in the middle of the field several times, and most of those targets resulted in completions.
— Running back Brian Robinson Jr. was fired up during practice, often seen clapping in the huddle to hype up his teammates. Robinson showed good vision and quickness on the outside, as he wove through defenders for two big gains near the start of practice.
— The entire Washington offensive line did well against the Patriots’ pass rush, but left tackle Laremy Tunsil stood out the most. He pushed a Patriots defensive lineman all the way to the sideline on one run play, which prompted some pushing and shoving after the play. He was also a stalwart in pass protection, as he pushed Keion White into the ground with little effort during one-on-one drills.
— On the other field, where the Commanders’ defense was getting reps against the Patriots’ offense, it appeared that the unit still has some work to do before being ready for Week 1
Blood was drawn during Wednesday’s Commanders-Patriots joint practice, but not from any current player.
A mid-scrimmage scuffle ensued after a reported altercation between Washington and New England players. Per local reporters, when the dust cleared, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel emerged — from the bottom of a pile — with a bloody cheek after intervening in the dustup.
Washington Post (paywall)
The Commanders had a joint practice with the Patriots ahead of the teams’ preseason opener this week — and things got a bit frisky.
Terry McLaurin’s absence was a blinking neon sign. Since the wide receiver began his contract standoff with the Commanders, it often has been repeated that he has little to no leverage. That’s true from a business perspective, for all the reasons that also have been frequently repeated: The Commanders could use the franchise tag on him next year; he would be entering free agency entering his age-31 season; he needs to play to be eligible for either outcome.
On the field, though, Wednesday’s practice provided a reminder that the Commanders need McLaurin as much as he needs a new contract. Other than Deebo Samuel, Washington’s wideouts were smothered by Patriots defensive backs with both first-team units on the field. Quarterback Jayden Daniels relied heavily on tight end Zach Ertz and threw scant completions, if any, to anyone other than Ertz, Samuel and running back Austin Ekeler.
In the final period, Daniels lofted a pass to [Chris] Moore in the back of the end zone, but he was blanketed and couldn’t corral it. Luke McCaffrey made no impact. Rookie Jaylin Lane made a nice catch on an out route from Josh Johnson against New England’s second team but didn’t shake loose in limited first-team reps. It didn’t help that Noah Brown stayed home with a nagging injury.
In the week since McLaurin requested a trade, it doesn’t appear that much has changed. It’s still considered highly likely that the sides will reach a deal before the regular season begins. But the Commanders received a glimpse of what life is like without McLaurin, and it lived up to McLaurin’s nickname: scary.
Washington Post (paywall)
With star quarterback Jayden Daniels on a rookie contract, the Commanders need to surround him with weapons.
Which brings us to the issue of whether Terry McLaurin is “worth” $30 million per year. Consider it through the prism of Daniels, and it’s not even a rhetorical question.
For Adam Peters and Washington’s front office, last season’s surprising success complicates the situation. There is nothing in the year-two handbook that instructs a team to pay top dollar for a wide receiver who turns 30 next month. But with the Commanders coming off a 12-5 campaign and an appearance in the NFC championship game, they must maximize a short-term opportunity while executing a long-term vision.
This is bigger than a stare down with McLaurin. It’s about the kind of organization Washington wants to be with a rising superstar under center. Is it better to give Daniels every chance to grow into his MVP-caliber talent as quickly as possible? Or do the Commanders want to gasp at their calculator and stifle the good vibes by setting a hard line with the quarterback’s most potent weapon?
In this case, a negotiation feels like a referendum. And if the Commanders want to turn their breakthrough into a sustainable run of contention, they need to act accordingly.
They must pay McLaurin, even if it hurts a little. Because Daniels deserves him.
This is the Commanders’ opportunity to use the most coveted cheat code in the NFL. The past few years, as young quarterbacks have begun to struggle again, it hasn’t been as fruitful to load up around an emerging signal caller on a cheap deal. But Daniels is a throwback to the most recent era when special QBs could direct playoff teams even while they were learning.
Sometimes, stability costs more than what you want to pay. McLaurin has been the most dependable, productive force in one of the NFL’s most unstable situations. Four coaches. Thirteen quarterbacks. No matter the mess around him, he has reached 1,000 yards in five straight seasons. He has played in 97 of 100 regular season games. He has shown an ability to elevate his game in the postseason.
There’s plenty of value in what he still is: a reliable, productive, culture-setting weapon who keeps your quarterback on the rise. NFL decisions are full of gambles, but giving McLaurin a third contract isn’t something to dread.
A good day for rebuilt defensive line
The Patriots weren’t able to do much on the ground, which is exactly what Washington had hoped for when it beefed up its line with additions such as Javon Kinlaw and Eddie Goldman.
Defensive tackle Daron Payne also has had a solid training camp, which continued into Wednesday.
“At the end of the season, I wasn’t as healthy,” Payne said. “But I’m feeling healthy and moving around good. Body’s good, mind’s good.”
Washington’s pass rush was effective, too. Lest there was any doubt, Von Miller can still do the things he could in his prime, bending under tackles and beating them with his quick first step.
Pass defense still a work in progress
Maye completed a number of deep shots and found plenty of room in the middle of the field against the Commanders’ defense.
With Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown both out, the Commanders’ lack of receiving depth has been a glaring issue in recent practices, especially so on Wednesday.
With Coleman out, Andrew Wylie filled in at left guard, and Nick Allegretti moved to right guard. Rookie Josh Conerly Jr. started at right tackle.
The Commanders’ preseason opener Friday in Foxboro will be the Josh Johnson-Sam Hartman show. Daniels and the starters are not expected to play.
Jonathan Jones – Commanders CB
It was probably a strange feeling for Jonathan Jones. The cornerback spent the entirety of his playing career with the New England Patriots before joining the Washington Commanders in free agency. Being on the other side for the first time, he no doubt felt a little uncomfortable.
Jones is projected to play a backup role behind the starting cornerback trio of Marshon Lattimore, Mike Sainristil, and second-round pick Trey Amos. He’s the No. 4 option currently, although one couldn’t dismiss Noah Igbinoghene getting some valuable rotational reps after another strong summer.
This wasn’t Jones’ best day, according to those in attendance. There were a few coverage failures that went for big gains or touchdowns. Nobody should be pressing the panic button, but it is something to monitor nonetheless.
Jones boasts enough proven production to avoid becoming a weak link. Considering this was the first time he’d been back to his old employers since a big move away, the emotion attached to the occasion possibly played a role.
Jayden Daniels – Commanders QB
Washington knows it has a superstar on its hands with quarterback Jayden Daniels. When the pressure mounts and the stakes get higher, the gifted signal-caller always comes through with the goods.
That proved to be no different during joint practice with the Patriots. Daniels was at his surgical best, carving open the Patriots’ secondary despite not having the benefit of Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown to depend upon in the passing game. One only has to look at how stunned New England’s beat writers were by his precision to see the impression made by the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Gay has bounced around the league over the last six years. He was taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2019 draft. Since then, he’s played for the Buccaneers, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Indianapolis Colts.
He had a rough start to his career, but he’s been stellar in recent years. Over the last four seasons, Gay has hit over 85 percent of his field goals and has only missed three extra points. By comparison, Gonzalez made just over 70% of his field goal attempts for the Commanders in 2024.
Gay steps in as the immediate starting kicker for the Commanders. He hasn’t been in the headlines since signing with the team, but that’s exactly what you want from your kicker.
Those who have been paying attention to the Commanders during training camp have noted Gay’s consistency. Reporter Grant Paulsen said that he has been “nearly automatic all camp.”
For a team seeking to make a Super Bowl run, having a reliable kicker is an absolute necessity. The margins are razor-thin in the playoffs, where one missed field goal could end a team’s season. The Commanders can’t afford to enter the 2025 campaign with a shaky kicker.
Gay hasn’t been the only player to impress onlookers at training camp. Mike Sainristil, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, and others have been training camp winners. Those players will get most of the attention coming out of camp, and rightfully so. They could play pivotal roles in the Commanders’ in 2025.
But Gay could end up being one of the team’s most important additions of the offseason. The veteran might not garner much attention now, but when he hits a game-winning field goal in December or January, fans will be glad to have him around.
During the franchise’s five years in Boston, the city wasn’t exactly enamored with the team.
“They cared about Boston College football. They didn’t care about pro football at the time,” Willis explained.
By the mid-1930s, teams like Chicago and New York were consistently drawing crowds in the 20,000-25,000 range. Boston, however, was only averaging around 5-6,000. It didn’t matter even that the Burgundy & Gold was one of the best in the country. In fact, the 1936 team made it to the NFL championship and should have hosted the title game, but ticket sales were dreadfully low.
“Marshall got so mad at the city, he moved the game actually to New York, because they would get a bigger crowd. They would try to get a little bit more money from the championship game, so they could split it with the players,” Willis said. “They did lose the game…Don Hudson and the Packers won. But by this time Marshall was like, ‘Yeah, I’m done. Let’s move somewhere.’”
The “somewhere” became clear quickly. Marshall had an affiliation with Washington, D.C. through his dry cleaning business. Not to mention, a move down south perhaps felt natural for the West Virginia native.
So, off the team went to the nation’s capital, and the rest really is history. In their first season in D.C., spearheaded by rookie Slingin’ Sam Baugh, Washington won its first NFL championship.
The 1937 NFL Championship | Hail Tales: Stories From Washington Football History
The TRUTH About Commanders vs Patriots Joint Practice: Jayden Daniels DEALS, Defense STRUGGLES
Jones’ insistence that “we’re in good shape” in terms of negotiations for a massive contract extension tamped down the hysteria that began the previous day, when my colleague Dianna Russini reported on the dramatic deterioration of the relationship between the All-Pro defensive end and the organization.
Since then, there has been a prevailing sense this is simply one of Jones’ signature sideshows. With a docuseries featuring the 82-year-old owner/general manager set to debut on Netflix this month, many fans and media members seem convinced that Jones will throw money at the problem, Parsons will back down and everyone shall, in fact, sleep soundly.
My two-word rebuttal, borrowed from a showman cut from the Jones mold: Dream On.
Sure, Parsons and the Cowboys might eventually get a deal done and laugh off the whole episode. Portraying that outcome as a settled matter, however, feels pretty aspirational. My skepticism isn’t merely derived from the fact that they’re far apart on numbers. I’m also somewhat appalled at the process that got us to this point — and mindful that a “hold-in” can create frustration and resentment that compels each side to consider seemingly drastic options.
In other words, as those who remember 2024’s “Bad Vibes Summer” in Santa Clara can attest: When emotions fly, things can shift from “Don’t lose any sleep” to “The head coach is sprinting up the stairs to stop a trade?” in an instant, and the ultimate outcome becomes hard to predict.
However Jones tries to spin it, there are plenty of bruised feelings right now.
Who do I blame for this mess?
Time will tell, but if Jones is miscalculating and things get ugly, I wouldn’t rule out a trade, a suspension (and accompanying grievance), or other scenarios that might keep Cowboys fans up at night.
In the meantime, Jones is insisting that it’s all copacetic. He even scoffed at Parsons’ injury, comparing the trade request to the “bad back” that’s preventing the star pass rusher from practicing.
Caleb Williams yelled as he stomped away. During an individual period at a training camp last weekend, Williams and the other Chicago Bears quarterbacks were engaged in a rapid-fire throwing competition, aiming at targets in a net.
Williams’ accuracy was off, and his emotional reaction, which was caught on video by fans during an open practice, sparked a social media firestorm.
Was it an indication of bigger problems with a team that is under a microscope with first-year coach Ben Johnson, who is expected to develop the former No. 1 draft pick into a franchise quarterback while guiding the team to playoff contention?
Or did the frustration simply reflect Williams’ competitive nature while dealing with the ups and downs of learning a complicated new offense?
Before anyone calls for backup Tyson Bagent to take snaps with the first team, consider that the Bears are practicing many of the concepts for the first time. And there have been bright spots, from the accountability and attention to detail that Johnson demands to the offense’s execution in the two-minute drill. Still, a fan base that hasn’t celebrated a playoff win since the 2010 season and is looking for its first franchise quarterback in over 80 years doesn’t need much to get on edge.
Concern: Is the Bears’ offense too complicated?
Backup quarterback Case Keenum has played for eight teams and numerous playcallers entering his 12th NFL season. He likened Johnson’s scheme to the “greatest hits” of his career — an offense that utilizes heavy play-action, shifts, pre-snap motion and a complex system for calling plays.
“Ben has put a lot of pressure on us as quarterbacks to handle playcalls without wristbands out there,” Keenum said. “New playcalls every day. Long ones with double kills and possible alerts.”
Concern: Is Williams processing fast enough?
During a practice on July 31, Johnson was calling in a play to Williams via walkie talkie, and it soon became apparent Williams’ headset had malfunctioned. He couldn’t hear his coach.
Again, Williams showed his frustration by motioning to the sideline that he couldn’t hear.
There have also been multiple instances of pre-snap errors during the first three weeks of camp. Johnson noted repeated mistakes during the quarterback-center exchange, and three delay-of-game penalties highlighted a practice the coach classified as “sloppy” on Aug. 3.
Receiving the playcall, delivering the information to the huddle and then getting the team to the line of scrimmage early in the play clock has been a goal for Williams to allow himself more time prior to the snap to see what the defense is doing.
“The best thing he does is the unscripted stuff, the two-minute stuff where he’s able to go out and really play and show the competitiveness that makes him who he is,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said.
But even Williams knows the key to his success this season is playing better within the structure of the offense, or as he put it, “not being that young cat and wanting to go and get that big play, that big scramble play” too often.
NFL players can still use smelling salts as long as not provided by teams
NFL players will be allowed to use “smelling salts” during games after all.
The NFLPA sent a memo to players on Wednesday saying that the ban that the league informed teams about on Tuesday only prohibits team employees from distributing smelling salts and any other ammonia inhalant during pregame activities, games and halftime on the sideline or locker rooms.
“The NFL Players Association is aware of the memo issued by the league Tuesday regarding the use of smelling salts and ammonia capsules,” said the memo to players. “We were not notified of this club policy change before the memo was sent out. To clarify, this policy does not prohibit player use of these substances, but rather it restricts clubs from providing or supplying them in any form. The NFL has confirmed this to us.”
The memo from the league prohibited any club personnel from providing or supplying products such as ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup and any form of “smelling salts.” The league cited a warning issued from the Food and Drug Administration in 2024 that there was no evidence citing the “safety or efficacy” of the products and that they have the potential to mask symptoms of concussions.
Rank 6 – Washington Commanders
The Terry McLaurin trade request has taken some of the sheen off an otherwise-buzzy offseason, but we’ve also seen big-name standoffs end in new deals this offseason, so the panic meter remains pretty low for me. The offense should be great again. I could see the Commanders making incremental improvements from last season on defense, but it’s hard to argue that they’re tangibly better on that side of the ball. I’d even argue they’re a tad bit worse, personnel-wise, until proven otherwise. Washington made a big statement last season, and it’s capable of just as much or more this time around, but it won’t come easy. There are some potholes dotting the road right now.
Rank 30 – New York Giants
There had to be some major breath-holding when Malik Nabers was banged up with a shoulder injury early in camp. It appears he’ll be fine, and Nabers was tearing up camp when he got hurt, looking like a superstar in need of a supporting cast. Wide receiver looks thin after him. The offensive line remains an area of some question. Offensively, the Giants are still taking shape, with a wait-and-see approach at quarterback. There are some positives, I think. I like the potential of the defense, especially up front, even if the secondary worries me a bit. The rookies appear to be holding their own — wait until you see Abdul Carter play real games — and what looks like a strong first-year class could be a great one if QB Jaxson Dart does anything in Year 1. There’s excitement but still too few players at or near Nabers’ level. That, along with a wicked schedule, has capped my enthusiasm.
