After a high-energy first week of training camp, the Washington Commanders are back in action for week two, and for the first time this year in pads.
With the install phase largely behind them, the real evaluations begin this week.
Before things ramp up, here is a look back at seven highlights from the Commanders Camp kick-off.
- The Defense is Ahead of the Game
If there’s one clear theme from the few days of training camp, it’s that Washington’s defense came to play.
“We’re just trying to one up ourselves every day. We are just trying to build, we just build on the first day, second day, and then to the next day,” said defensive tackle Daron Payne. “I feel like that’s how we’re just going to be the best us.”
Whether it’s seven-on-sevens, 11-on-11 team drills, or red zone work, the defense consistently dictated the tempo.
They racked up interceptions early on and often. On day three, quarterback Jayden Daniels on the very first play of team drills threw a pick. It was a ball tipped out by safety Quan Martin that was plucked out of the air by cornerback Mike Sainristil.
Moments later, safety Tyler Owens jumped a throw from quarterback Marcus Mariota for another pick. Cornerback Trey Amos also participated in the “pick parade.” And it was hard to forget that linebacker Bobby Wagner kept the momentum going with another interception.
It’s no small thing for a team that ranked near the bottom of the league in interceptions last season. The high intensity and ball-hawking instincts were evident all week, and its presence still stands strong heading into week two.
From safety play, to improved cornerback depth, and a veteran led defensive line, this defense looks sharper and faster.
“We’re just competing. It is all about competition,” said Payne. “We are just out here trying to make each other better and just execute the game playing at a high level.”
- Linebacker Von Miller Looks Refreshed and Ready to Contribute
Veteran edge rusher Von Miller may not be the thrasher he was in his prime, but he made it clear that he can still make disruptions from the edge.
“They’re going to let me rush, that’s what I do, that’s what I do,” said Miller. I can still roll out the bed at 36 years old with my house shoes on and still rush the passer. There’s other stuff that I gotta work at to get better at, of course, but the main thing for me is rushing the passer.”
Miller put in work with the first-team throughout the week and had several “would-be” sacks or pressures in team drills. One included a team rush that helped lead the defense to the first interception of camp.
“He’s got different unique talents, he can bend, he’s long,” said Coach Dan Quinn. “But it’s at this point it’s what’s the skills, you want to find out what the skills are and I like the stunts. I like that he’s versatile, that he can play from his feet, he can play from down. We like to use variety in how we would want to go attack things.”
While the Commanders plan to rotate him situationally, Miller’s burst of power is still there and it’s real. His presence on defense can be invaluable this season on passing downs.
“Honestly, it’s just his work ethic,” said linebacker Wagner. “You see a great come out and how he works every single day, how he prepares what he can give to the other guys, old and young. He can really help his team a lot.”
- Cornerback Trey Amos Might be a Steal
Second-round pick cornerback Trey Amos is quickly earning trust from Washington’s coaching staff and putting himself in position to be a camp standout. The rookie continued to earn first-team reps at outside corner, opposite of cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and with Sainristil locking down the slot.
“I feel like for me, approaching the game, I take it so seriously,” said Amos. “ [I’m] just trying to stay focused for as long as possible so I can get where I need to go. I feel like routine wise, coming in early, talking to the… the coaches, just asking questions so that it can be second nature.”
Amos stood out with tight press coverage, elite ball instincts, and fluid movement. He nearly had an interception off Daniels in the endzone before the play was whistled dead for offsides, and he has consistently challenged the receivers in tight spaces.
“Ive been showing my man coverage, my techniques,” said Amos.
With a football background spanning from Louisiana, Alabama, and Ole Miss, along with All-SEC honors and a 4.43 40-yard dash time, Amos looks polished and ready to compete for early contributions this season.
“[I’m] just going out there and just competing, being physical at the breaking point,” he continued. “Just being a person that can just show up anywhere and just do their job and be accountable.”
- The Defense Secondary is Showing Real Depth
Washington might finally have a secondary that can hang with elite offenses.
The defensive line looks far more formidable with the additions of defensive ends Jacob Martin, Deatrich Wise Jr., Javon Kinlaw, and defensive tackle Eddie Goldman.
With the emphasis on getting bigger and more versatile, creating new packages allows guys like defensive tackle Daron Payne to shift between power sets and speed locks.
The cornerback room, once a sore spot, now has layers of talent.
Cornerback Lattimore broke up a pair of passes, one deep to wide receiver Jaylin Lane and another in the red zone against wide receiver Chris Moore.
Cornerbacks Car’lin Vigers, Johnathan Jones, Fentrell Cypress II, along with safety Owens all made crucial plays on the ball this past week, suggesting that this revamped secondary might finally have the depth to match up against high-powered offenses.
“We really love the competition,” said Coach Quinn. “What I’ve been impressed by the inside players, their ability to communicate, they have to set it. A call happens and things have to happen quickly. We’re making progress and we’ve got some excellent guys to go against to help get them ready.”
- A Renewed Wide Receiver-Running Back Core And Upgraded Offensive Line
With wide receivers McLaurin sidelined, and fellow wide receiver Noah Brown and guard Sam Cosmi easing their way back onto the field, it has been an intriguing glimpse at who else might step up on offense.
Daniels and new addition Deebo Samuel have strong chemistry already. On the very first play of team drills in camp, Daniels connected with Samuel for a touchdown on a well-placed slot fade, despite tight coverage from Owens. Samuel looks ready to reignite his career this season in Washington.
“Nah, it’s real fun. It’s real fun,” said Samuel on how it’s like to play with Daniels.
He went on to share insights on how he and Daniels are working to build on their connection.
“We take it day-by-day,” Samuel continued. “After practice we get reps here and there, but just building day-by-day and just trying to get the best we can.”
Rookie wide receiver Lane has also turned heads, delivering what may be the best catch of training camp so far.
Lane’s catch over both Sainristil and Martin in the corner of the end zone was a spectacular touchdown grab sending shockwaves throughout the NFL.
“The rookies we got, I think they’re a little ahead of the game by how smart they are and how understanding they are of the offense but I’m really not a rah rah type of guy,” said Samuel. “I’m really a guy, if they come to me [to] ask questions, I give them the game. But I think they’re a little ahead of the curve right now.”
The battle for depth at wide receiver is heating up, with Chris Moore, Michael Gallup, KJ Osborn, Luke McCaffrey, and undrafted rookie Ja’Corey Brooks flashing playmaking ability.
With McLaurin still sidelined, along with Brown and Cosmi still easing back from injuries, it’s been tough to fully assess the offense –especially with no pads on and limited contact. However, that all changes this week.
The Commanders will finally have the chance to test their upgraded offensive line in pads. As five-time pro bowler Laremy Tunsil and first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr. anchor the line, Brandon Coleman moves to left guard, and Andrew Wylie explores flexibility in the tackle positions, there is progress in the building of protection that Daniels needs to thrive.
“I kind of found things out during the offseason, that summer I found out that my stance was pretty wide and it was hard to move out of that just through tackle,” said Coleman. “It was more about learning how my body functions and how to get my body comfortable to play that different position because like I said, I kind of know what I have to do, the aiming points now it’s just about making my body do it, that mind kind of body connection.”
As a valuable player to Washington’s offense, Brian Robinson Jr. shared insights on his excitement on the O-line revamp and what this means for the offense overall ahead of the upcoming season.
“When coaches go out there and [players] go out there and want to buck up the O-line, it is going to put a smile on my face every time,” said Robinson. “You bring guys like LT (Laremy Tunsil) in here to just help our unit be better –it’s amazing. I’m excited for it. I’m always thankful when they try to get me some pro bowl left tackle, so I’ll never be against that.”
- WR Terry McLaurin Is Back But Not Really
After skipping organized team activities and minicamp amid a contract standoff, McLaurin surprised fans with a thrilling return on Sunday, the fourth day of training camp and the first official fan day, ending his brief holdout.
Just before practice, Quinn announced that McLaurin was back in the building, signaling that a new deal may be nearing a completion for fans to see No. 17 on the field.
“I do have an update. [WR] Terry McLaurin has reported and we’re very happy about that,” said Quinn. “ On the business side [General Manager] [Adam Peters] (AP) and the guys are still working hard with Terry and his rep on the business side of things.”
However, when he reported back to camp, the wide receiver was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list due to an ankle injury with contract talks still unresolved.
“So, PUP is no team, no walkthroughs, no practices,” said Quinn. “It’s really a focus of you count on the roster limit, but you are in, let’s call it… a rehab mode, to get everything ready. You can push that training to get there, but it’s a kind of a buildup to get back to play.”
But that didn’t stop him from reuniting with the Commanders community and fans.
McLaurin spent over 30 minutes signing autographs after camp practice, a gesture that speaks to his deep connection and love for the Washington fanbase.
“I never lost sight of the way they [fans] supported me and the way that I pour into them and the way they poured into me,” said McLaurin. “So at the end of the day it’s business but it has nothing to do with them. And any chance I can come out here… show them my support and how much I love them, I’m gonna always do that.”
Furthermore, the two-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of a three-year $68.3 million deal that ranks 17th among NFL receivers in average annual value. He has already forfeited $800,000 this offseason by skipping workouts, minicamp, and the first four days of training camp.
As one of the last players still present from the formerly named Redskins era of the Washington franchise, time on McLaurin’s contract extension is running out.
With McLaurin’s impact on the team’s foundation, community, and with questions looming around few receiver options outside of Samuel, his signing is critical.
“It’s the business right now and just trying to take things day by day,”said McLaurin.
- Commanders legend Santana Moss Set to Receive Commanders Ring of Fame
Santana Moss began his football career as a walk-on at the University of Miami. Years later, he’s being recognized as one of the greatest wide receivers in Washington franchise history.
On Sunday, the Commanders announced Moss will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Fame.
The honor will take place during the season opener against the New York Giants on Sept. 7.
“I can’t even describe it honestly,” said Moss. “It’s a feeling like no other.”
The team surprised Moss—now an analyst for the organization— during practice, where friends and family wearing burgundy caps with his name joined in the celebration.
Drafted by the Jets in 2001, Moss was traded to Washington in 2005 and quickly made his mark.
In his first season in D.C., which was 2005, Moss earned a Pro Bowl after recording 84 receptions for a franchise-record 1,483 yards and nine touchdowns. That same year, he stamped his place in Washington by catching two late touchdowns to spark a stunning 14-13 comeback win over the Cowboys.
Moss retired with 732 catches, 10,283 yards, and 66 touchdowns over 14 NFL seasons, including 10 in Washington. He ranks third in franchise history in receptions, fourth in yards, and seventh in touchdown catches.
This special announcement also came the same day McLaurin, the team’s top current wide receiver, returned to camp amid his own contract standoff.
“I haven’t had this much emotion built up in me in a long time,” Moss explained. “I was jokingly talking to someone about [the] last time I boo-hoo cried this much was when I lost somebody, so trust me I’m overwhelmed with joy right now. It’s a hell of a feeling.”