After two weeks of competing against each other, the Washington Commanders got the chance to test their mettle against NFL opposition for the first time since their fairytale run in 2024 concluded. Joint practice against the New England Patriots was first on the agenda, which will be swiftly followed by Friday night's preseason encounter.
Dan Quinn stated beforehand that the starters wouldn't be involved at Gillette Stadium. That's the right call, and it also meant established pros would get plenty of time on the field to hone their skills in a heated setting versus New England — a team expected to be much more competitive this season with Mike Vrabel leading the charge.
As expected, it was fiery. Things threatened to boil over on a couple of occasions, but it was a worthwhile exercise overall. It also provided Quinn and general manager Adam Peters with more valuable information about the roster heading into the business end of preparations.
There was a lot to unpack. With this in mind, here are five winners and two losers from an eventful joint practice.
Winners and losers from the Commanders' joint practice with the Patriots
Winner No. 1
Josh Conerly Jr. - Commanders OT
The criticism Josh Conerly Jr. got during his summer transition from college to the pros was extremely unfair. Not every first-year pro hits the ground running, and there were always going to be growing pains where the No. 29 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft was concerned.
Conerly is developing gradually. The Commanders are giving him all the time he needs to pick things up. This is the right way to develop talent, although being a first-round pick raises immediate expectations.
It seemed like the light was finally coming on for Conerly during joint practice with the Patriots. This was by far the Oregon product's best showing based on the musings of those watching on. He was keeping pass-rushers out of the backfield and picking up blitzes effectively. There is a long way to go, but this was a big step in the right direction.
Perhaps all Conerly needed was to get out of his comfort zone. Going up against teammates is one thing, but there's nothing like joint practices to find out what a player is capable of at this stage of the summer. Based on this showing, the Commanders might have something in the edge force after all.
Patience is not a virtue in sports. But the attention Conerly's start received is giving him the motivation needed to push on.
Loser No. 1
Commanders wide receivers
Deebo Samuel Sr. aside, it was a mundane practice from the Washington Commanders' wide receiver group. There were a couple of splashes, but nothing to diminish the concerns around Terry McLaurin not being around, as the second-team All-Pro still awaits a new contract from the franchise.
Michael Gallup and Ja'Corey Brooks made impressive catches on the day. However, the absences of McLaurin and Noah Brown exposed some potential depth issues that cannot go unnoticed by the Commanders. This also led Nicki Jhabvala from The Athletic to speculate whether this showing could give the former third-round pick out of Ohio State some much-needed leverage in negotiations.
The Commanders’ lack of depth at WR is concerning. Terry McLaurin didn’t have a ton of leverage in contract negotiations with the team, but that part is growing increasingly favorable for him.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 6, 2025
Nobody was gaining much separation on the outside. That made it more difficult for Jayden Daniels, and it's a problem the Commanders could do without when the regular season begins. That's why McLaurin — and Brown, for that matter — are so vital to their chances of mounting a playoff push in 2025.
Winner No. 2
Zach Ertz - Commanders TE
Zach Ertz might be getting caught up by Father Time, but the veteran tight end proved last season that there is a lot of good football left before walking away from the gridiron entirely. He's also showcased his class throughout Washington's preparations for the new campaign.
Ertz just knows how to get open. Jayden Daniels knows where he's going to be at all times and knows when to deliver the football. It's a difficult skill to master from a chemistry standpoint, but the quarterback-tight end dynamic is right where it needs to be in Washington.
The former second-round pick out of Stanford was among the top performers during joint practice with the Patriots. Beat reporters from both teams noted how effortlessly Ertz was making space for himself. And he's already proven capable of doing the same when the action counts.
Washington wants to get Ben Sinnott more involved in 2025. But Ertz is still the alpha dog in the tight end room until further notice.
Winner No. 3
Trey Amos - Commanders CB
Trey Amos hasn't come to Washington just to make up the numbers. He arrived with a big chip on his shoulder after dropping to No. 61 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. The feisty cornerback is putting it to good use, becoming the starting option opposite Marshon Lattimore on the boundary in double-quick time.
This was the biggest challenge to date for Amos. Going up against the Patriots meant a clash wth former All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Aside from one lapse in concentration, it was another test the second-round pick out of Ole Miss passed with flying colors.
Diggs is coming off a torn ACL, and he's not the force of old, but the fact that Amos more than held his own against such a prolific route runner spoke volumes. This should also increase his inner confidence heading into his rookie campaign.
It's another feather in Amos's cap. And the best is yet to come.
Loser No. 2
Jonathan Jones - Commanders CB
It was probably a strange feeling for Jonathan Jones. The cornerback spent the entirety of his playing career with the New England Patriots before joining the Washington Commanders in free agency. Being on the other side for the first time, he no doubt felt a little uncomfortable.
Jones is projected to play a backup role behind the starting cornerback trio of Marshon Lattimore, Mike Sainristil, and second-round pick Trey Amos. He's the No. 4 option currently, although one couldn't dismiss Noah Igbinoghene getting some valuable rotational reps after another strong summer.
This wasn't Jones' best day, according to those in attendance. There were a few coverage failures that went for big gains or touchdowns. Nobody should be pressing the panic button, but it is something to monitor nonetheless.
Jones boasts enough proven production to avoid becoming a weak link. Considering this was the first time he'd been back to his old employers since a big move away, the emotion attached to the occasion possibly played a role.
Winner No. 4
Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB
Washington knows it has a superstar on its hands with quarterback Jayden Daniels. When the pressure mounts and the stakes get higher, the gifted signal-caller always comes through with the goods.
That proved to be no different during joint practice with the Patriots. Daniels was at his surgical best, carving open the Patriots' secondary despite not having the benefit of Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown to depend upon in the passing game. One only has to look at how stunned New England's beat writers were by his precision to see the impression made by the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Jayden Daniels is absolutely surgical in 11 on 11. Never misses a read
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) August 6, 2025
Even though it was a relatively pedestrian day for the offense overall, it's hard not to love the way Daniels approaches his work. He treats every snap with the same mindset. He almost always makes the right read. His conviction and complete control are nothing short of exceptional.
If Daniels takes this through to the regular season, another dominant campaign won't be too far behind.
Winner No. 5
Laremy Tunsil - Commanders OT
The Commanders' biggest splash of the offseason was securing the services of left tackle Laremy Tunsil via trade from the Houston Texans. Fans got to see what the formidable edge protector could bring when competitive action begins, thanks to a sterling joint practice versus the Patriots.
Tunsil set the tone early and often. He was fast, physical, and aggressive. His accomplished pass protection was on full display, stopping everyone in his path with minimal fuss. And anyone who tried too hard to get the upper hand paid a heavy price.
This is exactly what the Commanders wanted. The Commanders believe Tunsil can be a game-changing force for an already explosive offense. He's getting plenty of rest this summer as a proven veteran performer who knows how to prepare. His dominant joint practice is the biggest and most positive sign yet that he's ready to hit the ground running.
It was a huge investment by Peters. All signs point to it paying off handsomely.