ASHBURN, Va. — In some ways, it feels like training camp just started for the Washington Commanders. Their prep for their most anticipated season in years was lighter than in past seasons. Almost all of it was done without four key starters — wide receivers Terry McLaurin (contract stalemate) and Noah Brown (knee), and guards Sam Cosmi (knee) and Brandon Coleman (leg), rendering the offense “a work in progress,” as coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said.
It wasn’t until last week that McLaurin signed his extension and Brown and Coleman were cleared, restoring most of the offense to full strength (though Cosmi will begin the season on the physically unable to perform list). That leaves all of five practices for the group to rediscover its magic with quarterback Jayden Daniels before it hosts the New York Giants in Sunday’s season opener.
Impossible? Hardly.
Impossible is going 12-5 with a rookie quarterback, scoring six touchdowns in the final minute of regulation or overtime, converting a record 87.0 percent of fourth-down attempts and winning a divisional playoff game for the first time in 33 years in a season that was supposed to be the first in a lengthy rebuild.
This summer has been more of an inconvenience, though some would disagree even with that characterization.
“I think the timing worked out perfectly,” McLaurin said last week. “We have essentially about two weeks for me to get acclimated with football. … But to be honest, to a certain degree it’s kind of like riding a bike.”
While McLaurin gets back on the bike, here’s what we gleaned from the Commanders’ last five months as they try to build on their historic season.
They’re all in
If that wasn’t clear last November, when the Commanders acquired Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore ahead of the trade deadline, it surely was in March, when they traded for All-Pro receiver Deebo Samuel and traded again for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Washington’s future is now, thanks to Daniels.
The priority this offseason was building around him, starting with the trenches. General manager Adam Peters built an offensive line that can better protect his quarterback and jump-start the run game. He also beefed up the defensive line to plug Washington’s leaky run defense (more on that later).
The left side of the O-line, which has long been a weak spot, now might be one of Washington’s strengths, with Tunsil at tackle and Coleman shifting inside to left guard. The running backs’ room has been reconfigured, too, following the trade of three-year starter Brian Robinson Jr., and features a quartet of versatile backs who will be used heavily in the passing game as well.
The addition of Samuel gives Kingsbury another chess piece and a mismatch to create hell for defense. He showed up to camp in great shape, and his presence (if he maintains his conditioning) should create more opportunities for McLaurin and Brown, the top two outside receivers.
And the return of tight end Zach Ertz, who re-signed on a one-year deal in March, ensures Daniels has one of his most trusted red zone targets. Their connection in training camp appeared even stronger than it was last season.
Can they stop the run?
The Commanders know that to exceed last season’s success, they must get past Philadelphia and the reigning offensive player of the year. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley wrecked Washington’s defense last season, amassing 414 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in three games (including the playoffs). Only two teams allowed more rushing yards than the Commanders last season (137.5 per game).
Washington bolstered its defensive line by signing defensive tackles Javon Kinlaw and Eddie Goldman, and with many returning linemen adding some weight.
The results in camp and preseason were mixed, but it was difficult to accurately gauge the group’s progress given the limited live reps the starters received. The bulk of their snaps were in the joint practice against the New England Patriots. Most of the starting D-line played only 10 snaps in the preseason, against the Cincinnati Bengals.
An X-factor in the back
The X-factor this season will be Lattimore. He was dealing with a hamstring injury when he arrived from New Orleans last season and didn’t suit up until Week 15. He finished the season (including the playoffs) with more penalties (six) than games played (five).
However, he returned to minicamp and training camp in good health, appearing more like the cornerback he was a few years ago. If he can stay healthy, Washington’s secondary could be dangerous.
Rookie corner Trey Amos has the polish and consistency of a veteran; second-year corner Mike Sainristil played with even more confidence in camp as he shifted back to the slot; free safety Quan Martin continued to prove he may be one of Washington’s finest draft picks in recent years; and strong safety Will Harris adds versatility that has drawn praise.
This group also has good depth. Safety Jeremy Reaves, a team favorite who doubles as a special teams ace, made play after play in camp and preseason to earn more time on defense. Fellow safety Percy Butler showed why he warranted a one-year extension, and the addition of cornerback Jonathan Jones adds to the group’s versatility and experience.
Out of their depth?
The preseason served as a training ground for reserves and those competing for roster spots. However, it might have exposed Washington’s weaknesses on both sides of the ball.
Daniels quickly developed a strong connection with Samuel, and thank goodness, because that connection was often the only highlight of the passing game in camp. The rest of the receiving corps lacks consistency and reliability behind McLaurin and Brown. Speedy rookie receiver Jaylin Lane showed he has more versatility than initially anticipated, but the drop-off from the starters to reserves is steep.
The depth of the offensive line also created uncertainty, but there was a notable bright spot. Andrew Wylie, the veteran tackle who started camp splitting reps on the right side with rookie Josh Conerly Jr., proved he can play (and play well) almost anywhere on the line. He moved to left guard at times while Coleman was out, and the front five moved seamlessly together.
The depth at linebacker also warrants close attention. There’s little comparison to starters Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, but there’s a significant drop in play when those two aren’t on the field. There’s also a total void of experience. Nick Bellore is almost exclusively a special teamer, and Jordan Magee is the only other reserve with defensive experience — all of 15 snaps last season.
Jayden Daniels got better
Opponents now have a year of video on him, but he used that time to self-scout and refine areas of his game that defenses might try to exploit.
Daniels spent much of the offseason in California honing his footwork, which has helped improve his passing velocity. With film study and reps, his overall mastery of Kingsbury’s offense has also improved, allowing the coordinator to open up the playbook even more.
“There’s a lot of the playbook that people haven’t seen,” Quinn cautioned in May.
Daniels’ rapport with Kingsbury has grown to where the quarterback is even more comfortable telling him the plays he likes and doesn’t like. His rapport with teammates has also helped him grow as a leader. During a team series in camp, Daniels sent a receiver off the field when he was flagged for a false start and signaled to coaches to send in someone else.
“I’m the one that’s got to uphold the standard,” Daniels said. “If guys are false-starting, the next guy up, stuff like that. Even for me, it’s like holding myself accountable.”
(Photo: Amber Searls / Imagn Images)
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