Washington Commanders 2022 training camp is currently in full-swing and fans are thrilled football has finally returned to the nation’s capital. Sure, they’re technically practicing at team headquarters in Ashburn, but you get the point.
Coming off back-to-back seven-win seasons, the Commanders could use a strong camp to boost their confidence after an adversity-filled 2021. After all, their first preseason game is less than three weeks away (Aug. 13). Before you know it, the team will be hosting Jacksonville for Week 1 of the regular season.
That’s obviously easier said than done. It’s tough to gauge how players perform during the first week of practice. Per league rules, full pads aren’t allowed until the first day of August, which is this coming Monday.
In the meantime, let’s shed light on some important things that would make Commanders training camp a full-fledged success.
3 things that would make Commanders training camp a success
3. Clarity at linebacker behind Cole Holcomb
It may sound like we’re beating a dead horse, but Washington’s uncertainty at linebacker could easily determine their fate on defense. When healthy, the defensive line is arguably the most talented in the NFL and what the secondary lacks in depth it more than makes up for with its starting core.
Linebacker, however, only has one proven commodity in Holcomb, one of the team’s breakout stars last season when he led Washington with 142 tackles, which finished sixth in the NFL, and added seven passes defended and a pick-six.
Assuming the MIKE role in Jack Del Rio’s defense this year, Holcomb will now be the calling plays from the middle of the defense. That opens the door for Jamin Davis to take a lesser responsibility as an off-ball-linebacker and Commanders fans everywhere are hoping the second-year player is up to the task.
If Davis can solidify himself as Holcomb’s clear running mate over the next couple weeks, training camp will be regarded as a success. After all, Davis ceded reps to David Mayo as Holcomb’s partner at OTAs and minicamp. If that continues during camp, Ron Rivera will have no other choice but to sign a free agent.
Regardless of how it happens, this team needs clarity behind Holcomb.
2. Curtis Samuel staying healthy
Sure, you could replace Samuel with “the entire roster,” but Samuel deserves his own write up after his forgettable 2021. The 25-year-old wideout played just five games last season, but it was much worse than that. In those five games, he never eclipsed more than 25 snaps, four catches or 20 receiving yards.
The main reason behind Samuel’s injury woes? He never got off the ground during the offseason. He tweaked his groin during spring practices and it was all downhill from there. He spent most of his time on the side field and never looked explosive in the rare occasion he practiced with the first-team offense.
The good news is Samuel made it through OTAs and minicamp without an injury. With that said, though, Rivera held him out of half of those practices due to leg tightness and an “abundance of caution.” Nobody wants to hear that.
If Samuel can get through camp with a clean bill of health — even if it means managing his reps to keep his legs fresh — that would be huge for Washington.
One of the most versatile offensive weapons in the NFL, Samuel can line up in the backfield, the slot or on the outside. He can take the offense to new heights, which makes him the Commanders’ single biggest X-factor for 2022.
1. Carson Wentz-Terry McLaurin chemistry
As important as linebacker and Samuel’s health are to Washington, nothing is bigger than the chemistry between Wentz and McLaurin.
McLaurin is the Commanders’ most important offensive player and he fell victim to lackluster quarterback play last season. While his stat line was impressive — 77 catches for 1,053 yards (13.7 YPC) and five touchdowns — his week-to-week production left a lot to be desired for a receiver of his caliber.
Think about this: McLaurin was limited to less than 65 receiving yards in 12 games. He eclipsed 100 yards on just four occasions and managed less than 40 receiving yards in four games. In three of those he finished with less than 25 yards.
That shouldn’t happen with Wentz under center. With all due respect to Taylor Heinicke, Wentz has twice (maybe triple) the arm talent. The 29-year-old is also deadly on the run (when he’s not throwing into triple coverage) and we all know McLaurin’s penchant for turning broken plays into chunk yards.
Wentz and McLaurin are building a strong off-field relationship. Hopefully that translates onto the gridiron and they hit the ground running at camp. If that happens, the Commanders will be feeling pretty confident heading into Week 1.
We’re speaking it into existence!