The Washington Commanders will report to training camp Tuesday, with practice set to begin the following day. Washington’s rookies reported to Ashburn Friday.
It’s been a busy few days for the Commanders. In case you missed it, the historic franchise has a new owner. NFL owners approved Josh Harris as Washington’s new owner, and the horrific Daniel Snyder era is in the rearview mirror.
The Commanders also have a famous new offensive coordinator.
We’ll be following both storylines.
What are the biggest storylines for the Commanders this summer? We’ve identified seven storylines to follow over the next several weeks in training camp.
Ownership
What a few days it has been for the Washington Commanders. No new owner comes to his new team with as much love and fanfare as Josh Harris. Harris, Mitchell Rales and Magic Johnson all spoke at the ownership’s introductory press conference. Fans were always going to be excited to be rid of Snyder, but Harris, Rales and Johnson knocked it out of the park. Fans hung on every word. They could see the passion from each man.
Will that excitement follow into camp? Will Ashburn be packed for training camp? How present will the owners be this summer? While I wouldn’t expect the owners to watch practice each day, you can bet they’ll make an appearance or two, if nothing else, for the fans.
Sam Howell
All eyes will be on quarterback Sam Howell this summer. He heads into camp as the leader in the quarterback derby, but he’ll have to earn it. With fans and media in attendance for a large portion of camp, you can expect plenty of armchair quarterbacks assessing every Howell throw — the good and bad.
Howell needs a strong training camp, and he knows that.
Eric Bieniemy's impact
What a difference a year makes. Did anyone think at this time last year that Eric Bieniemy would leave the Kansas City Chiefs for the same role with the Washington Commanders? Bieniemy did it to prove he can coordinate a successful offense without Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.
Some would say the odds are stacked against Bieniemy, but the Commanders have talent on offense. The key is Bieniemy’s impact on Howell. That relationship will determine the 2023 season for the Commanders and likely the future of both men. If things go well, Bieniemy finally gets that head coaching opportunity he’s deserved in 2024. And Howell is Washington’s QB of the present and future.
It should also be fun watching and hearing Bieniemy in practice each day.
Will there be any long-term contracts signed?
The Commanders have several high-quality free agents after the 2023 season. Safety Kamren Curl, defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat, wide receiver Curtis Samuel and cornerback Kendall Fuller are among Washington’s free agents next offseason.
With the ownership situation settled, it would surprise no one if the new regime wanted to get ahead of things and lock up some of the cornerstone players. Sweat and Curl appear to be the most obvious candidates for an extension. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if these new owners want time to evaluate everyone, specifically the front office and coaching staff, before signing anyone to a long-term contract.
Chase Young
Outside of Howell, no player will be under the spotlight more than Young. Young has nothing to prove this summer. It’s all about the season for him. However, fans will be watching to see if he’s winning one-on-ones in practice and if looks like his explosive self. He did at the end of last season and in the spring. It should be intriguing to follow Young throughout the summer.
Looking ahead, Young becomes priority 1A for ownership if he has a strong season. Young’s talent is undeniable, and he’s also extremely marketable, very important for new owners wanting to sell tickets and jerseys.
Linebacker
Will it be Khaleke Hudson or Cody Barton joining Jamin Davis in the starting lineup at linebacker for the Commanders? While this battle will not receive as much attention as the quarterback, it’s one everyone should watch.
Barton signed, expecting to be the starter. However, Hudson has made that a difficult decision for the coaches. The coaching staff developed Hudson. They love him and trust him. It will be interesting to see which linebacker remains with the first-team defense later in training camp. That’s usually a clue as to what the starting lineup will look like in Week 1.
Regardless, Washington’s linebacker depth should be a bit better in 2023.
Where will the defensive backs play?
How can you not be excited about Washington’s secondary? The Commanders have a trio of talented cornerbacks in Kendall Fuller, rookie Emmanuel Forbes and Benjamin St-Juste. There is another rookie, second-round pick Quan Martin, who can play anywhere in the secondary. Then you have starting safeties Curl and Darrick Forrest, backed up Jeremy Reaves and Percy Butler.
Where will all of these guys play? Who plays slot cornerback?
Martin is the obvious candidate as the slot corner. However, Forbes worked there some in OTAs and St-Juste has played some there in the past. Fuller will not be playing in the slot. Forbes was drafted to play outside. So it should be interesting to see where coaches have these players throughout the summer.
The Commanders have some depth and versatility in the secondary. It should be fun to see how these young players fit in immediately.
