The Washington Commanders have more competition for places than at any stage of head coach Dan Quinn's tenure so far. General manager Adam Peters worked hard to achieve this objective during the offseason, and everything will be earned in the coming months before final cuts are due.
And it only took one practice during organized team activities to spark excitement around a critical position battle.
There is enormous intrigue around the kicking position, which the Commanders have not solved effectively for years. Veteran Jake Moody is in the driver's seat after getting another one-year deal this offseason. However, the decision to sign undrafted rookie Drew Stevens could shake things up dramatically.
Drew Stevens and Jake Moody instantly light the fuse on Commanders' kicking battle
Quinn said this would be a legitimate competition between the seasoned pro and the first-year upstart. Based on their first OTA practice, it'll be a close-fought battle that could go down to the wire.
Stevens made all six of his field goal attempts, including a 53-yarder. Those in attendance were taken aback by the power in his leg, which is something the Commanders have lacked from their kickers. Quinn and Peters were watching developments closely, and they no doubt came away impressed.
Kicking battle will be fun to watch. Stevens just absolutely ripped all 6 FG attempts. Moody went 5 of 6 and made his longest (about 53ish). AP & DQ watched intently. Stevens’ power is obvious; if the accuracy can match he’s a weapon.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 27, 2026
Not to be outdone, Moody was 5-for-6 in his efforts. He also drilled his 53-yarder, which was encouraging. However, the Ohio State product should have clarity about how hard it's going to be in pursuit of keeping Stevens out of his No. 1 spot before Week 1 rolls around.
It's starting to look like the Commanders already have a tough decision on their hands. It's a nice problem to have, and this heightened urgency should bring out the best in Stevens and Moody. If this approach is finally the thing Washington needs to solve its complex riddle at the kicking spot, the better Quinn's chances of a bounce-back campaign will be.
There will be twists and turns. The Commanders reportedly want to get a good look at both kickers over an extended period before making their final decision. Things will get more intense as the season ramps up, and Stevens must make his chances count in the preseason, under pressure, to bolster his claims.
For now, it's anybody's race. Moody played well last season, but not well enough to secure a clear run at the starting gig once again. Stevens is the ambitious rookie looking to force his way into the team's plans. And based on this first exchange, the four-time All-Big Ten selection looks more than capable of making things interesting.
The fuse has been lit.
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