Riggo's Rag

The Washington Commanders got some welcome news as preparations for their Week 1 clash against the Philadelphia Eagles gathered pace. And the look of relief on head coach Dan Quinn's face during his media availability spoke volumes. Quinn was proud to report before Wednesday's practice that every healthy member of the roster would be practicing. While some were limited and others were a full go, it's a massive relief after all the health concerns that have blighted Washington this summer.

The Washington Commanders are expected to make improvements under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. It won't take long to see how much they have improved this offseason. Washington begins its regular-season quest with a trip to the Philadelphia Eagles. They have a number of problems to overcome, but none more so than their nemesis, running back Saquon Barkley. Simply put, Commanders fans will quickly find out just how good their run defense is with Jones leading the charge.

Luke McCaffrey earned a spot on the Washington Commanders' 53-man roster. The wide receiver may not have reached his pre-draft billing yet, but general manager Adam Peters was not ready to throw in the towel. But the Commanders' long-awaited depth chart for Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles once again placed McCaffrey's possible role this season under the microscope. The Commanders added seven wide receivers to their roster, signaling strength in depth.

Everyone seems to be writing off the Washington Commanders' chances, starting in their regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. While that may be premature, some concerns must be addressed before confidence grows. One of those is the offensive line. And the uncertainty around this unit heading into the campaign had one NFL analyst fearing for quarterback Jayden Daniels at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Washington Commanders didn't have much go right for them in 2025, but one player who emerged from the season as a shining bright spot was Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Now, the second-year running back will have a foundation to build upon. A season ago, Croskey-Merritt was playing with house money. But more will be needed this time around to cement his status as a long-term piece of Washington's puzzle.

Terry McLaurin is the undisputed alpha in the Washington Commanders' wide receiver room. But the second-team All-Pro is also entering unfamiliar territory for the first time in his career. McLaurin is beloved by the fan base, but doubters are emerging. The pass-catcher isn't getting any younger, and there are new worries after missing a large part of the 2025 campaign through injury. Those are valid to a certain extent. But everything has proceeded as planned for McLaurin this summer.

We have arrived. The Washington Commanders are gearing up for the start of the regular season, and fans are about to find out what head coach Dan Quinn's team is really made of. Washington has had a fascinating summer. General manager Adam Peters set the tone by overhauling his roster with more athleticism and youth. Quinn brought in new offensive and defensive coordinators, which he believes could be the key to unlocking this team's true potential. As for the players?

The unofficial depth chart during the offseason means very little in the grand scheme of things. However, there was a lot more to unpack when the Washington Commanders released their depth chart before their eagerly anticipated Week 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. For Treylon Burks, it was the biggest confidence boost imaginable. Burks was listed as a starting wide receiver alongside Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs.

For Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, there will never be a more narrative-defining season in his career than the one he's about to embark upon. And where his expectations are concerned, the best way to describe them is "cautious optimism." Thus far in his NFL career, fans have seen two different versions of Daniels. Jayden Daniels doesn't need to be Superman to help the Commanders grow One could do no wrong.

The Washington Commanders brought back veteran wide receiver Van Jefferson Jr. onto their practice squad. This improves the team's contingency plan if injuries strike, but it makes it tougher for one up-and-coming hopeful to stake a claim. Undrafted rookie Jaden Bradley made a notable impression during his first offseason in Washington. He came up with plenty of splash plays throughout training camp and the preseason, but it wasn't quite enough to force his way onto the 53-man roster.