The countdown to NFL kickoff began in earnest on Tuesday in Ashburn, Virginia, as the Commanders’ veterans reported to training camp for their first full-team practice of the offseason. But after another offseason roster overhaul, several question marks dot the offensive depth chart.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters have less than seven weeks to trim the 90-man roster down to 53 players. The tough decisions — especially relating to the wide receivers and offensive linemen — are inevitable.
“What you’ll see, you’ll find competition in the everyday sense,” Quinn said of this year’s camp. “It’s like boxing. This is sparring to get ready to go compete. That’s what I’m looking for.”
The wide receiver room has drawn the most scrutiny throughout the offseason, for a second consecutive year. After Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin’s contract dispute dominated discussions in 2025, concerns about who will line up across from him have remained at the center of conversations in 2026.
Deebo Samuel, who led the Commanders in receptions last year, left the team in free agency.
In his wake, Washington’s braintrust will call on a group of unproven options for star quarterback Jayden Daniels’ third season.
Rookie Antonio Williams might be the top option entering training camp. The Clemson product was the first offensive player that Washington selected in this year’s draft. The third-rounder earned a reputation as a “smooth operator” for his effortless athleticism and smooth route-running during the offseason program.
But his size — Williams stands 5’11’ and tips the scales at a modest 187 pounds — could limit his early production as he adapts to NFL competition.
The Commanders lack a sure option behind him, though. First-year offensive coordinator David Blough will rely on some combination of young receivers Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey or veterans Van Jefferson, Dyami Brown and Treylon Burks to aid the passing attack.
But Peters and Quinn both said they’re comfortable with the group as it stands.
“Our guys have done a really good job bringing in some real competition there,” Peters said. “What it does is it creates great competition. And in great competition, the cream rises to the top. So, I’m confident that those guys will all take a step up.”
Another acquisition isn’t unthinkable.
San Francisco 49ers pass-catcher Brandon Aiyuk has openly courted the Commanders, though he’d need to secure an unlikely trade or a release from his current team. Free agent Stefon Diggs — a Maryland product — could also be a fit.
But they’ve both had off-field concerns. Aiyuk has become a controversial figure for openly disparaging his current team. Diggs is involved in an ongoing lawsuit after he was accused of sexual assault.
“We do look at everything,” Peters said. “We want to make sure it’s the right player to be in our locker room and in our culture.”
Peters has shown a willingness to add veterans late in the summer. Pass rusher Von Miller agreed to a one-year deal with the Commanders in the final days before training camp last year. Miller, who is once again a free agent, went on to lead Washington in sacks.
In 2024 — Peters’ first season in Washington — the Commanders added wide receiver Noah Brown in late August after the Houston Texans cut him. Brown ranked second among Washington receivers in yards per game by the end of the campaign.
“If we have ways to get better, we’re always going to look into that and really assess if it’s the right move for the team or not,” Peters said. “If it’s the right move for the team, we’re not afraid to do that.”
Wide receiver isn’t the only offensive group with a competition battle. Quinn and Blough haven’t finalized who will be starting at left guard and center on an otherwise unchanged offensive line.
The left guard spot will likely be filled by last year’s starter, Chris Paul, or former left tackle Brandon Coleman.
Coleman, a 2024 third-rounder, started his NFL career with an up-and-down year as a left tackle. He moved down the depth chart last season after the Commanders acquired five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil to protect Daniels’ blind side.
But the Commanders didn’t treat Paul as a priority after he became a free agent this offseason. Peters didn’t sign him until late in the process, giving him a modest one-year deal worth just $3 million.
The center battle features a similar lack of clarity. Peters released Tyler Biadasz during the offseason after he started 31 games at center over the last two seasons.
The thinking was that Nick Allegretti, who was also moved down the depth chart after starting for the bulk of the 2024 campaign, could move from guard to center. The former Kansas City Chief worked as Washington’s center for the bulk of offseason workouts, but sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin and veteran Julian Good-Jones also have a shot at the job.
“We’ve got a lot of faith and confidence in [Allegretti]. It’s another one of the positions that we do have competition that we’re going for,” Quinn said, though Allegretti was the clear leader in the locker room. “He’s one of those guys. You don’t bet against that.”
The clock for Quinn and Peters to decide the winners of those position battles starts ticking on Wednesday morning. The Commanders’ bosses felt the right energy from the players who arrived on Tuesday, though.
“I feel a hunger from the team,” the coach said. “They’re ready to get into it.”
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.