Summertime in the NFL: Commanders have reading assignments

A new offense and new defense means the work doesn't stop for Washington during the NFL break

Jun 19, 2026

Jayden Daniels set the tone for the Commanders as the entire NFL prepares for it’s summer break: “I’ve still got a long ways to go.”

Daniels comments were nominally about learning the new Washington offense but the reality is the third-year quarterback was letting his teammates know that just because the players won’t be back in Ashburn until late July, the work must continue.

After a miserable 5-12 season in 2025, the entire offseason tone for Washington has looked and sounded different. More urgency. More rapidity. New coordinators. New players.

There’s no certainty that a new approach - along with new offensive and defensive schemes - will deliver more wins and another playoff run, but at least Commanders head coach Dan Quinn recognized the status quo wasn’t getting it done.

The Commanders wrapped up their offseason workouts with an interesting three-day minicamp. The starters didn’t get much work beyond jog-throughs while the 2nd and 3rd string players got the bulk of the snaps.

It was unusual but Dan Quinn explained his methodology as such: In 2025 the Commanders suffered a ton of injuries, so let’s get an honest assessment of the team’s depth.

What went unsaid, however, was that Washington likely wanted a good look at depth pieces to evaluate if the roster needs more changes.

Notes and nuggets below:

Jayden Daniels made clear he’s done talking about the 2025 season which saw him play just four complete games. Quinn went so far as to burn the coaching notes from last year in an effort for a clean slate in 2026. At this stage of the year, that all makes sense. Whatever lessons are out there from a bad year, it’s time to turn the page.
JP Finlay@JPFinlayNBCS
Jayden Daniels says he still has a ways to go learning the new offense and will be working hard during the break to master it
6:36 PM · Jun 17, 2026 · 17.8K Views
1 Reply · 31 Reposts · 463 Likes
It’s quite noticeable what a difference Terry McLaurin makes. Last year a contract holdout and injuries limited Washington’s best receiver. This offseason McLaurin is healthy and locked in. His competitive nature shines through watching the practice sessions and is rubbing off on younger players.
Rookie WR Antonio Williams knows how to get separation. He has a chance for a real role in this offense, as does Treylon Burks. The former first-rounder just needs to stay healthy, something he’s been unable to do so far in his NFL career. Burks did tell me this year feels like a fresh start. Quinn also went out of his way to salute the strong summers for veterans Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson.
The running back battle should be interesting in training camp. Jacorey Croskey-Merritt aka Bill talked about wanting to expand his game. Bill missed much of the OTA sessions with a hamstring tweak but was back for minicamp. After a mostly impressive rookie season, Bill needs to be better in pass protection for his role to really expand. He looks a bit bigger and more muscular now and seems to be aware that in the new offense there will be more required of the backs in pass pro and with the play action concepts. Elsewhere in the RB room, Rachaad White and Jeremy McNichols had strong offseasons. Two rookies will look to impress in training camp: Kaytron “Fatman” Allen and undrafted rook Robert Henry. Fatman had a brilliant explanation that his power running style will make more of an impact once the pads come on.
JP Finlay@JPFinlayNBCS
Kaytron “Fatman” Allen says he can’t wait to get the pads on to show his physical style - “that’s my kind of party”
6:42 PM · Jun 16, 2026 · 28.8K Views
7 Replies · 32 Reposts · 652 Likes
Quick note on Henry - he’s wearing the 30 jersey and when he’s on the field looks a bit like Austin Ekeler. He’s my early pick for preseason leader in rush yards (which does not mean a roster spot but is a silly prediction game we play on the Beltway Football podcast).
Ben Sinnott and Chig Okonkwo had strong offseasons. David Blough’s offense is going to offer more verticality for the tight end position and expect both to be able to show their athleticism. Okonkwo will be the lead dog at the position but Sinnott might finally be able to prove why he was a Top 100 pick.
Rookie linebacker Sonny Styles looked fast and fluid throughout the offseason. He has a knack for being in the right spots in 7v7 and 11v1 and there will be a lot of excitement to see if that football intuition stays on track once the pads come on in August.
NBC4 Sports@NBC4Sports
Sonny Styles on #Commanders defense: "If you like to run, hit, play fast...it's the perfect defense for you" Styles on his personality: "I just have fun with the game, talk a little crap, have fun, laugh, smile but I'm still super focused" @JPFinlayNBCS #RaiseHail
6:24 PM · Jun 16, 2026 · 25.8K Views
1 Reply · 50 Reposts · 575 Likes
One of the most impressive things I saw throughout the summer was from Laremy Tunsil. Known around the league as a hard worker and leader but with little regard for showing that publicly, this summer allowed a peak. Tunsil talked about second-year tackle Josh Connerly coming to stay and workout together in Alabama and the results showed. Connerly looks bigger and with broader shoulders than his rookie season. Still the single moment that stood out for me came from the conclusion of minicamp practices when the entire team ran a series of short sprints. Tunsil - the five-time Pro Bowler going into his 11th season and with career earnings of well over $100 million - was grinding out the June sprints. Actions not words.
Perhaps my favorite moment from the summer came in an off-field conversation. I stood on the sideline watching practice with former Redskins RB Ricky Ervins and Commanders team president Mark Clouse. Ricky is an all-time great dude and hysterical to chat with. Clouse is very cool and has gone out of his way to engage with the tea’s alumni base. As the three of us watched the workouts, we talked about the ongoing construction of the new RFK stadium. Ervins told a story about the first time he played at RFK and saw the stands bouncing and explained the scene nearly drove him to tears. He asked Clouse if the bounding seats would be re-created at the new stadium, and the team prez explained that it would for a portion of the seats. It was a cool moment of the past meeting the future, something the organization is trying to do and something the fan base desperately wants.