Commanders re-signees are pleased about fresh direction and increased opportunities.
Jeremy Reaves is the Washington Commanders’ longest-tenured player. This is his third coaching staff since 2018, with Bruce Allen and Jay Gruden signing him to the practice squad and Ron Rivera and Martin Mayhew keeping him around and adding him to the 53-man roster. Now, Adam Peters and Dan Quinn have decided to include him in the new age of Washington football.
All that to say, Reaves has seen and played for a variety of coaching methods. He provided a brief but significant evaluation of the incoming leadership.
“Real deal,” Reaves stated. “They’re not wasting any time.”
The Commanders began the new league year with half of their squad on the free market, and whether Quinn calls it rebuilding or recalibrating, the new roster will be shaped in his and Peters’ image. Though the majority of the open positions have been filled by new players, Washington has elected to keep four players from the previous regime: Reaves, tackle Cornelius Lucas, defensive end Efe Obada, and receiver/return specialist Jamison Crowder.
The new staff made two things obvious to the players they chose to keep: they want to win and do so in the proper manner. Those are messages they can rally behind.
The Commanders have signed 26 players — the most in the NFL — since the start of free agency, 22 of which are new additions. They range from some of the best to play their position, like linebacker Bobby Wagner, to those looking for a chance to compete, such as guard Nick Allegretti.
What the Commanders haven’t done is retain any starters from their own pool of free agents. What’s more, they’ve decided to move on from others still under contract. Charles Leno Jr., Nick Gates and Logan Thomas were all released before free agency, creating even more spots for Peters and his staff to fill.
For the four players Washington re-signed, that presents them with a chance to be part of something new and take an active role in shaping the franchise’s next chapter.
“My expectation is definitely to come in and compete to start,” said Lucas, Washington’s swing tackle since 2020. “I’m gonna give it my all to be out there every Sunday starting.”
