3 winners (and 2 losers) from Commanders 2024 training camp Week 1
By Dean Jones
Loser No. 1
Darrick Forrest - Commanders S
Fans were eagerly anticipating how things would look at the safety position over camp. The Washington Commanders let Kamren Curl leave for the Los Angeles Rams without offering him a new deal. That was a contentious issue, but one those in power believe was necessary to enhance their defensive prospects in 2024.
The Commanders look pretty strong on the backend despite Curl's departure. Jeremy Chinn and Dominique Hampton came in via free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft. This added to the rich options already available to Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. - two renowned developers of defensive backs.
Based on opening impressions over Week 1 of training camp, the Commanders are moving forward with Chinn and Quan Martin as their starting safety tandem. The Illinois product worked as a slot cornerback last time around, but Washington drafted Mike Sainristil to fill that void next season and beyond.
Martin and Chinn have the physical profile to become impactful within Quinn's creative defensive concepts. What this means for Darrick Forrest's future is anyone's guess, but the former Cincinnati star has a fight on his hands in pursuit of extended involvement.
Nobody is expecting Forrest to be on the roster bubble or off the team entirely. He's too good for that despite his rough luck on the injury front in 2023. But anyone expecting him to be an unchallenged starter should reevaluate their thoughts on the matter if the opening week of camp was any indication.
Quinn and Whitt will be diverse in their packages. We could see Forrest, Chinn, and Martin on the field together when the situation dictates. The options are almost endless following a frantic offseason of recruitment, so those with established roles previously must prove themselves all over again.
The gauntlet has been laid down to Forrest in no uncertain terms. A rousing effort is needed, because the last thing he needs is to be cast into a backup role in the final year of his deal.