Training camp expectations
July 13, 2026
by Steve Thomas
We’re going to take a break from my “Where are they now?” series this week and instead address another topic: training camp. We’ll get back to the lives of Redskins stars next week. In the meantime, Washington’s training camp is rapidly approaching, thankfully, with rookies scheduled to report on July 24, veterans on July 28, and the first practice is on July 29. A few practices are open to fans: August 1, 7, 8, 18, and 19, with August 3 – 5 and 10 – 12 reserved for season ticket holders. However, if you haven’t already gotten your tickets, it’s probably too late. Since we’re about to enter yet another slow week, this seemed like a good time to briefly talk about what I hope to see from the team on the field during camp this year. In my view, this is a pretty important offseason given the failures last season, the new offensive and defensive coordinators, and the changing nature of the roster. As a result, the Redskins’ Washington Football Team’s the Commanders’ Washington’s coaching staff needs to get off to a good start and set some achievable goals. Let’s take a look at what I’d like to see in training camp and the preseason games.
Development of the offense
First and foremost, I want to see new offensive coordinator David Blough’s offense get off to a quick start. Sometimes new offenses, in particular, get off to a slow start in terms of the execution of coordinated, successful plays, and appear to be a bit disjointed throughout the preseason and early into the regular season. Washington can’t afford to have that happen this season given that the team went 5 – 12 in 2025 and have a very tough schedule. If they do, then this has the potential to be a bad season given the scheduling difficulties the team faces early in the season. I want to see the offense quickly get to the point that they look like they know what they are doing – few if any mixups in the passing game and consistency in protections by the offensive line. It’s pretty easy to identify an offense that is still learning the system and where the players are still getting used to playing together. That’s probably going to happen to Washington this year, but I’m looking for that period to be minimal at best.
Consistency in the running game
In my opinion, one of the biggest offensive problems last year was the lack of consistency in the running game. The team went back and forth with starting running backs and never got to the point that the ground game was a consistent asset that could be reliably counted on for more than 4 yards per carry every time. In training camp this year, I’d like to see one running back, whether it’s Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Kaytron Allen, or someone else, grow into a clear-cut starter who can consistently and reliably be a threat for which opposing defenses need to account. Washington didn’t have that last season, and in my view it will be critical to the team’s overall success. A solid rushing game will be important to Jayden Daniels and the passing game as it tries to get back on track.
Pass rush
Let’s be honest: Washington spent a ton of money this offseason in order to improve the pass rush, and the team needs to see some immediate results. Odafe Oweh was given a 4 year, $96M contract, and K’Lavon Chaisson has a cap hit of almost $11.5M, and that’s not never everyone the team brought in. One of the hallmarks of new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones’ system is variety in defensive alignments and pass rushing from different positions in the defense. That sounds great – I’m all in favor of unpredictability – but, much like the offense, this also sounds like something that’s going to take time to iron out and for the defense to get to peak performance. Therefore, what I’m looking for from early on in training camp is for these new, expensive pass rushers to start to make an impact and start getting to opposing quarterbacks immediately.
Identification of WR #2
Washington’s wide receiver group last year consisted basically of Terry McLaurin and a bunch of other guys. The offense needs to find someone who is a legitimate second starter and threat for which opposing defenses are forced to account. This will in turn hopefully allow McLaurin to get back to his pre-2025 self. Clearly, rookie Antonio Williams is probably the most obvious candidate to fill this role, but I think others who could also step up include Dyami Brown and Treylon Burks. Perhaps someone else in this position group can also get there, but frankly, the odds seem to be against it; more likely, the rest of them aren’t much more than either possession receivers or backups. The truth is that new tight end Chig Okonkwo is probably the most likely one to become a serious challenge to defenses behind McLaurin. Either way, Washington desperately needs a second threat.
Jayden Daniels making progress
Let’s all be honest and admit that Daniels wasn’t nearly as good last year as he was as a rookie, even when he wasn’t injured. It’s okay to say it. Daniels’ 2026 is therefore a pretty big year for him, because I have to think that if he doesn’t improve this year, it will cause the team to re-evaluate whether they want to re-sign him to a large multiyear deal; meaning, in the worst case scenario, they may not continue to view him as the franchise quarterback of the future. In that event, management could either just pick up his fifth year option or, if things really go wrong, let his original four year contract expire. On the other hand, success in 2026 will be seen as getting him back on track and moving towards the goal of becoming Washington’s first quarterback in a very long time to meet that standard. Therefore, what I want to see in training camp is accuracy and good decisionmaking from under center, with only a minimum of running. Daniels hasn’t played under center very much at any level of his football career, so it could be a rough going for awhile. Let’s hope that learning period is for a minimum amount of time. Daniels showed last year that he’s susceptible to injury, so I don’t think he’s capable of maintaining 148 carries per year, as he did in his rookie year. I want to see Daniels make strides early in training camp towards becoming more of an under center, traditional quarterback who only uses his mobility when the plays break down.