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New York Times
04-08-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
What we can learn from the Commanders' first depth chart
ASHBURN, Va. — The Commanders are entering their most significant season in decades, thanks largely to their 24-year-old quarterback and their billionaire owner who have transformed a perennial blight into one of the most intriguing franchises in the NFL. The team's first season with Jayden Daniels ended in the NFC Championship Game and prompted a slew of roster moves that no team in a lengthy rebuild would make. Trading for a veteran Pro Bowl cornerback in the middle of the season. Trading for a veteran playmaker shortly after the season. Trading for a star left tackle. Advertisement The Commanders are in win-now mode — a place no one could've imagined two years ago, when former owner Daniel Snyder unloaded the franchise after decades of mismanagement. 'Last year at this time, I don't think we'd even named a starting quarterback yet,' offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said Monday. 'So, to go from that to where we're at and understanding what a lot of these guys do well — what their strengths are, how to motivate — and then just to be able to expand our offense and really get to the next level of it is exciting.' How much has this franchise transformed? Consider this: This season is the first since 2017 in which Washington will have the same Week 1 starting quarterback that it did the season before. Eight years, 13 starting quarterbacks. This Commanders stat is WILD 😱 H/T @NickiJhabvala — The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 4, 2025 Now, Washington has finally built around a quarterback and stuck with a long-term plan. The Commanders' offseason centered on building up the offensive and defensive lines — adding reliability to the former, and size to the latter. Old is in: The 33 players signed in free agency or acquired via trade from March through July will average 30.3 years by the season opener. Explosiveness is, too, with Deebo Samuel joining the receiving corps, Von Miller keying the pass rush and seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt putting veterans on notice in the running backs room. But coach Dan Quinn has preached competition at every level, and even this year, no position is void of a roster battle. The team released its first unofficial depth chart on Monday, a league-mandated list that rarely reflects the first 53-man roster at the conclusion of the preseason. In short: Don't read too much into this one. There are, however, some notable takeaways. Advertisement • The Commanders' receiving corps is thin. And not just because of Terry McLaurin's hold-in and recent trade request. Noah Brown has hardly been on the field — he suffered an injury in minicamp and the team has been cautious with his workload. Samuel has had an impressive training camp, but he's a chess piece — a versatile and dangerous playmaker, but not a player relied upon to take on the load of a leading receiver. Rookie Jaylin Lane has impressed in his reps with the first-team offense, showing his speed and route-running. But until he plays in a game, or at least faces another defense, it will be difficult to gauge his true potential in year one. The drop-off in talent from the top three is fairly steep, and without McLaurin and Brown on the field, the lack of depth is glaring. 'If you were to lose Noah or Terry, you got to have some guys step up, and I think we're starting to see who's making plays when they're getting their opportunities and who's not,' Kingsbury said. • Receiver K.J. Osborn, a late-season waiver claim who played only 19 offensive snaps with the Commanders in 2024 and hasn't returned a punt since 2021, is the top punt returner on this depth chart. Not Lane, who was drafted for his speed and potential as a dual receiver-returner. Lane is second. Again, don't read too much into this one. Lane has consistently been the first returner in practices and it's clear the staff views him as a prospective weapon there. Locked in @j_lane_2 🔒@Seatgeek | #RaiseHail — Washington Commanders (@Commanders) July 31, 2025 • Croskey-Merritt, better known as 'Bill,' has been a camp standout but is listed as the fifth running back. This is not surprising. Quinn has said repeatedly he won't hand anybody a job, and the four backs ahead of Croskey-Merritt have proven regular-season experience with the team. This does not mean those four will remain the top four when the initial 53-man roster is set. Advertisement • Quinn's everyone-competes philosophy also explains why first-round rookie tackle Josh Conerly Jr. is the co-first-string right tackle with veteran Andrew Wylie. The two have been splitting reps with the starters in camp and it wouldn't surprise if they continued the rotation into the regular season, much like Brandon Coleman and Cornelius Lucas did at left tackle last season. 'It's part of who we are,' Quinn said. 'And I never wanted a player to ever feel anything other than that. If you get this gig, you earned it and you had to fight for it. … It's designed — some by day, some by period — and it takes a while to get there. You have to go through some more evaluations, but it's important.' • But there is one rookie who has clearly earned the starting job he was projected to fill when the team drafted him. Trey Amos is listed as the starting outside corner opposite Marshon Lattimore. Amos has played more like a veteran than a rookie in camp; he had an interception and a pass breakup during team drills on Monday. 'Trey's had a good day every day,' defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said. '… [Defensive pass game coordinator] Jason Simmons has done a really nice job with not putting too much on him, putting him in the right situations. He's a patient kid.' Amos taking over the outside always meant Mike Sainristil, who was drafted last year to be the team's nickel corner before shifting outside because of performance and injury issues at cornerback, would likely move back inside. He, too, has been all over the ball in camp. • There actually is a quarterback battle this year — for third-string. Journeyman Josh Johnson and second-year player Sam Hartman will carry the load in preseason as they vie to back up Daniels and Marcus Mariota. Johnson has the advantage of experience — nine years worth, including three starts in Washington back in 2018. Hartman's camp has so far been 'up and down,' as Kingsbury described it. 'I think he has all the ability — smart, good footwork, solid arm — just a couple plays [where he's] got to take better care of the football,' Kingsbury said. 'But he didn't practice much in the spring. With his arm coming back off that shoulder surgery, he's still getting back in the rhythm. But I'm excited to watch him in the preseason. I think he's the guy who's always on on game day.' Advertisement QB: Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Josh Johnson, Sam Hartman WR: Terry McLaurin (PUP), Michael Gallup, Chris Moore, Mike Strachan LT: Laremy Tunsil, Foster Sarell, Tyre Phillips, Lucas Niang LG: Brandon Coleman, Chris Paul, Julian Good-Jones C: Tyler Biadasz, Michael Deiter RG: Sam Cosmi (PUP), Nick Allegretti, Timothy McKay RT: Andrew Wylie OR Josh Conerly Jr., Trent Scott, Bobby Hart TE: Zach Ertz, Ben Sinnott, Cole Turner, Cole Turner TE: John Bates, Colson Yankoff, Lawrence Cager WR: Noah Brown, K.J. Osborn, Jacoby Jones, Braylon Sanders/Tay Martin WR: Deebo Samuel Sr., Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, Ja'Corey Brooks RB: Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Kazmeir Allen, Demetric Felton DE: Deatrich Wise Jr., Clelin Ferrell, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Norell Pollard DT: Daron Payne, Eddie Goldman, Sheldon Day, Ricky Barber DT: Javon Kinlaw, Jer'Zhan Newton, Carl Davis, Villami Fehoko Jr. DE: Dorance Armstrong, Jalyn Holmes, Andre Jones Jr. OLB: Von Miller, Jacob Martin, T.J. Marguranyanga MLB: Bobby Wagner, Jordan Magee, Kain Medrano, Ale Kaho OLB: Frankie Luvu, Nick Bellore, Dominique Hampton, Kam Arnold CB: Marshon Lattimore, Bobby Price, Kevon Seymour, Allan George CB: Trey Amos, Jonathan Jones, Car'lin Vigers CB: Mike Sainristil, Noah Igbinoghene SS: Will Harris, Percy Butler, Tyler Owens FS: Quan Martin, Jeremy Reaves, Ben Nikkel, Rob McDaniel P/H: Tress Way K: Matt Gay LS: Tyler Ott KR: Austin Ekeler, Luke McCaffrey, Demetric Felton, Kazmeir Allen PR: K.J. Osborn, Jaylin Lane, Demetric Felton, Kazmeir Allen (Top photo of Josh Conerly, right: Mark Schiefelbein / AP)
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
President Donald Trump has perfect response on Commanders name
You can add President Donald Trump to the list of those who don't like the Washington Commanders' name. Speaking to the media outside his plane on Sunday, Trump was directly asked if the franchise should change their name back to the Redskins. Advertisement 'Well, you want me to make a controversial statement? I would,' Trump replied, via Chris Bumbaca of USA TODAY. 'I wouldn't have changed the name. It just doesn't have the same, it doesn't have the same ring to me." Here's the video clip: After his first statement regarding the name, President Trump offered a realistic take on the controversial nickname. 'But, you know, winning can make everything sound good. So if they win, all of a sudden the Commanders sounds good, but I wouldn't have changed the name,' he said. He's right. There will never be a unanimous opinion one way or the other on Washington's name. Some fans will never accept the name, even if they still root for the team. There's the side that's just happy Daniel Snyder is gone and the franchise has a star quarterback, looking set up to win for a long time. Advertisement Neither opinion is wrong. The team has said the name is not changing. Last season's success contributed to the increase in attendance, as evidenced by Jayden Daniels' jersey becoming a bestseller. If you are winning and you have a marketable star, it outweighs everything else. The name became less of a topic once the on-field product became good. Trump also discussed Washington's stadium situation, saying he would get involved if needed to ensure the Commanders return to D.C. at the RFK Stadium site. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: President Trump has perfect response on Commanders name
Fox News
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump ramps up pressure on Commanders, Guardians team owners to change nicknames
President Donald Trump implored the owners of the NFL's Washington Commanders and MLB's Cleveland Guardians to revert to the organizations' old nicknames in a social media post. Daniel Snyder changed Washington's team name from the Washington Redskins to the Washington Football Team before the start of the 2020 season amid a summer of racial tensions. The team eventually became the Washington Commanders, and Snyder sold the team to Josh Harris. In July 2021, team owner Paul Dolan announced the Cleveland Indians would become the Cleveland Guardians. Cleveland had been known as the Indians since 1915. Dolan previously said the decision to explore the name change came from "an awakening or epiphany" after the death of George Floyd. Regardless, the push to keep Native American team names has been strong, particularly with the Commanders' organization. Trump already expressed his belief that the Commanders made a mistake when they changed the name from the Redskins. "The Washington 'Whatever's' should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team. There is a big clamoring for this," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday. "Likewise, the Cleveland Indians, one of the six original baseball teams, with a storied past. "Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen. Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago. We are a Country of passion and common sense. OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!" Harris said on Fox News Channel's "Special Report" in April that the team would not bring back the Redskins name even with plans to build a new stadium in Washington, D.C. "The Commanders' name actually has taken on an amazing kind of element in our building," Harris responded to Bret Baier's question about the Redskins name coming back as part of this new stadium deal. "So, the people that certain types of players that are tough, that love football, are delegated Commanders and Jayden [Daniels], for example, is a Commander, and they're ranked. "And, you know, the business staff has gotten into it, and obviously, we're in a military city here. There's more military personnel than anywhere else, so we're kind of moving forward with the Commanders name, excited about that, and not looking back." Guardians team officials have made no indication that the old name would return. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Washington Post
17-07-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Von Miller is a luxury item for a Commanders team that can afford one
The Washington Commanders' agreement to sign Von Miller provided another signpost of the franchise's sudden ascent. One year ago, the Commanders were a digging out of the smoldering crater left by Daniel Snyder's stewardship. They are now the kind of contender that can sensibly go shopping for luxury items, able to woo a former star player, whom they don't need, for a singular purpose.
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Five years ago was a historic day for Washington's NFL franchise
Much has transpired in the last five years regarding the Commanders. July 12, 2021, Washington Football Team President Jason Wright, who was responsible for the business side of the NFL franchise, announced that the NFL team would not consider "Warriors" as its next permanent name. The previous July, the shocking news that the franchise was dropping the name "Redskins" floored many NFL fans across the nation. Most in the District, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) were very upset with the decision, feeling betrayed by then-owner Daniel Snyder, who had once boldly proclaimed he would never change the name from "Redskins." The 2020 and 2021 seasons were played under the name of the "Washington Football Team." A team being named the team? Yes, it was redundant, and yes, initially it was laughed at and mocked by more than a few sports commentators. Wright disqualified the name "Warriors" and said the NFL team's new name would have "no ties to Native American imagery," following conversations with Native American leaders. How thorough were those conversations? Thinking people were left to ask, "If many Native Americans were not offended by 'Redskins,' why would they be offended by 'Warriors?' If that wasn't enough, remember the new Washington Football Team policy that was announced that summer of 2021? The owner and president were going to show everyone who was boss so they proclaimed they would no longer allow fans to wear "Native American inspired" dress inside their home stadium, including headdresses and face paint. Oh, that went over really well! After all "Redskins" fans easily pointed to how the Kansas City Chief fans could wear headdresses and face paint and even engage in mindless war chants associated with Native Americans, keep their team name "Chiefs" but Washington fans were going to face the wrath of the gatekeepers preventing anything to do with their "Redskins" past. What a summer it was five years ago for Washington fans. But for now, we again have a winning team with excellent leadership, which makes it much easier to deal with than the inferior branding that we enjoyed for decades.
