After a long wait, the Washington Commanders finally got down to business during their first training camp practice of the summer. And even though head coach Dan Quinn acknowledged there would be a bedding-in period for the players, it was still a chance for the players to lay down an early marker.
The intensity was noticeably higher than at the same time last year. It's been a theme of the offseason so far, stemming from complacency creeping in and the Commanders securing just five wins during the 2025 campaign. Now, the slate has been wiped clean, and the same high standards that were evident throughout Quinn's first season at the helm have returned.
It's a positive sign. There will be many twists and turns to come before general manager Adam Peters and Quinn finalize the 53-man roster and practice squad, but the energy levels are right where they need to be. And perhaps unsurprisingly, it was the defense that got the better of things to kick off camp.
This is typically the case, especially considering the Commanders are installing a new offensive system under David Blough. Things should even out as camp goes on and everything becomes more familiar, but that's not to say one or two of the offensive players didn't make a positive impression.
With this in mind, here are five standouts from a fascinating first day of Washington's 2026 training camp.
Supreme standouts from Washington Commanders 2026 training camp Day 1
Rasul Douglas - Commanders CB
The Washington Commanders bolstered their cornerback options with the intriguing signing of veteran Rasul Douglas shortly before training camp. He brings more experience and proven production to the table, and he's also got the physical presence that should fit well into Daronte Jones' system.
Douglas only got one chance to leave a positive first impression, and based on the reports from those watching from the sidelines, he successfully achieved this objective.
The former West Virginia star was a tough obstacle to get around in coverage. Douglas' positional sense has always been sound, and his willingness to hold his ground during red-zone drills also caught the eye. While his role might change slightly once 2025 second-round pick Trey Amos gets the all-clear to resume football activities, he should still have a strong part to play.
Washington had kept its eye on Douglas throughout free agency, and they struck with conviction to get him on board to ensure he gets a full training camp to acclimatize to Jones' demands. Looking at his strong first day, this could be another tremendous piece of business by Adam Peters if the same trend continues.
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