Jake Moody - Commanders PK
The Washington Commanders will take their kicking competition between veteran Jake Moody and undrafted rookie Drew Stevens right through the preseason. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed this at the start of camp, and it's the right call in the circumstances.
They need stability at this critical spot. It's been a carousel of failed veterans and wayward acquisitions throughout various regimes, and this has to change. Though Moody will not be giving up his spot without a fight, there are growing signs that Stevens might be heading into the driver's seat with Washington's first preseason game on the immediate horizon.
The Iowa product, who quickly got a rookie deal after interest emerged from elsewhere, has been almost flawless this offseason. Moody has almost matched him every step of the way, but recent practices have seen the pendulum swing in Stevens' favor.
Last kicking series:
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 4, 2026
36
39
44
49
56
Jake Moody missed from 49 and 56. Drew Stevens hit them all.
So Moody has missed 3 in camp so far (missed from 48 earlier today). Stevens has missed 1.
There will be plenty of twists and turns to come. Seeing how Stevens performs in a typical game-day setting during the Commanders' warmup game might be the tipping point, for better or worse. If he continues this impressive form, there might not be anything the former Ohio State standout can do.
That's out of Moody's hands. All he can do is dig deep, remain consistent, and hope Stevens somehow falters when the pressure increases.
Chris Paul - Commanders OL
A fascinating situation is developing at left guard. The Commanders are running a legitimate competition between Chris Paul and Brandon Coleman, with both getting a chance to excel with the first-team offense during the initial exchanges of training camp.
However, this already looks like it could be closer than some expected.
Lynnell Willingham of Westwood One Sports believes Coleman is starting to pull away from Paul. While the analyst thought there was still time for last season's starter to claw back the deficit, he thinks the TCU product is in complete control right now.
MY TAKEAWAYS FROM DAY 7️⃣ OF COMMANDERS CAMP 🏕️ 🏈 pic.twitter.com/oPfTx3I4sh
— Lynnell Willingham (@Nell_BTP) August 5, 2026
That's just one opinion, of course. But if anyone thought Paul was going to get an almost free run to the starting job again, they were mistaken.
Paul played well last season after Coleman was benched. The Commanders managed to get the Tulsa product back on a one-year deal after his market in free agency wasn't as hot as some anticipated. But with a cap hit of just $3 million, Washington could easily place him as a backup if the 2024 third-round pick continues to impress.
The Commanders are not throwing in the towel on Coleman just yet. He is healthy and ready to make his presence felt. Paul has to match him or risk being a rotational piece again.
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