Washington Commanders’ Mandatory Minicamp and OTA Sessions: Key Takeaways

After a 5-12 campaign, head coach Dan Quinn kept the Commanders’ mandatory minicamp in Ashburn, Va., and refused to shorten it despite league-wide cutbacks. The three-day session concluded with a family barbecue. Washington added 31 players, hired defensive coordinator Daronte Jones (replacing Joe Whitt), and shifted to a 3-4 scheme. The front office also signed running backs Rachaad White and Jerome Ford, drafted Kaytron Allen, and retained Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, and undrafted rookie Robert Henry Jr.

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• Defensive speed boost: rookie linebacker Sonny Styles posted a 4-second 40-yard dash; veteran Oweh recorded a 4.36-second combine time.

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• Receiving production last season: Deebo Samuel led with 72 catches; McLaurin had 38 in 10 games; eight other receivers combined for 61 catches.

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• Daniels’ 2024 rushing total: 891 yards (fourth-highest in franchise history since 2015).

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Quinn emphasized that the minicamp’s energy “was different” and that he restarted an OTA when rookie intensity lagged. He noted the defensive staff’s goal to be “younger, faster, more explosive” and to give the new scheme “more aggression.” Regarding the run game, Quinn said the team will employ a “committee” approach, leveraging each back’s strengths rather than naming a single feature back. He praised Daniels for “calling out who should be where” and highlighted the GoPro helmet program as a tool for real-time offensive communication.

Commanders may have stumbled into something meaningful at minicamp

Analysts flagged the absence of a clear No. 1 running back, noting Washington has not produced a 1,000-yard rusher since 2021. Receiver depth also remains a worry; despite adding Van Jefferson, Dyami Brown, re-signing Treylon Burks, and drafting Antonio Williams, the squad still lacks a proven No. 2 opposite McLaurin. The need for a veteran wideout such as Stefon Diggs or Brandon Aiyuk was repeatedly mentioned.

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Safety Jeremy Reaves linked the team’s heightened urgency to the previous season’s five wins, saying the “motivation you need to be urgent” was evident. Linebacker Frankie Luvu described the defense as “hunting man…very aggressive, very downhill…disruptive.” Wide receiver Terry McLaurin noted a renewed chemistry with Daniels, adding, “We’ve connected on a new offense just like that.”

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Sources agree the run game will be committee-based, but they differ on which back will assume the primary role. No definitive depth-chart has been released, leaving the hierarchy of White, Ford, Allen, and the undrafted backs uncertain.

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• “Nope, we'll be here,” — Dan Quinn, Head Coach, Washington Commanders

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• “Last year I felt [we] just weren't as connected,” — Dan Quinn, Head Coach

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• “Younger, faster, more explosive,” — Frankie Luvu, Linebacker, Washington Commanders

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• “We're just hunting man. ... Very aggressive, very downhill. We're disruptive.” — Frankie Luvu, Linebacker

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• “We've connected on a new offense just like that,” — Terry McLaurin, Wide Receiver, Washington Commanders

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• “The fact he can call out who should be where, that's a big deal. I'm excited to see him grow more into it.” — Dan Quinn, Head Coach

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The Commanders head into training camp with the roster still fluid; competition will intensify for fringe players such as rookie kicker Drew Stevens and linebacker Kain Medrano. Decisions on veteran additions at receiver and the final running-back hierarchy are expected during preseason cuts, shaping the squad for the 2026 season.

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