3 things Commanders fans can look forward to at 2023 training camp
By Dean Jones
What should Washington Commanders fans look forward to most in a few short weeks when the team officially begins its training camp in 2023?
We are almost in the month of July, which means two prominent occasions are on the immediate horizon. The Washington Commanders' sale to the ownership group led by Josh Harris is set to be approved and everyone associated with the franchise descends on Ashburn for training camp.
Ron Rivera wants to focus on football, and that's fine. But there will be plenty of intriguing dynamics and some very important guests during practices if Harris and his team of investors get the green light as anticipated.
This only adds to the pressure. Some will thrive while others wilt, but the most important thing for Rivera and his staff is to put the necessary preparations in place for a successful campaign with jobs at stake.
With this in mind, here are three things Commanders fans can look forward to when training camp arrives in 2023.
New-look Commanders secondary vs. WRs
There's been an injection of energy implemented across the Washington Commanders secondary after those in power spent their first two picks during the 2023 NFL Draft on Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin. This should mean the unit is more capable of coping consistently with the exceptional wide receivers they'll be clashing with throughout camp.
Watching how Forbes fares, in particular, is key. The first-rounder made a fantastic opening impression during early off-season workouts, but the intensity and physicality are only going to increase once the pads go on.
Others such as Quan Martin, Benjamin St-Juste, and Danny Johnson have plenty at stake. Watching how Rachad Wildgoose fares after catching the eye in 2022 is something else that could sway decisions regarding Washington's roster.
As the old saying goes, iron sharpens iron. So having the Commanders secondary versus the wide receivers is only going to help hone skills before Week 1.