It's been an intriguing start to training camp for the Washington Commanders. Optimism is higher than it's been in a decade or more after wholesale changes under the new regime. Building on this surge in positivity is the primary objective for Dan Quinn and his staff before their Week 1 contest at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Nobody is expecting things to be perfect right away. There are many new faces to mold into a cohesive unit. Washington's schematic concepts in all three phases look much different. A bedding-in period was always going to be necessary, but it's been an encouraging opening with plenty of positives along the way.
Quinn has high standards and isn't afraid to let his players know when they aren't being met. There is a vibrancy emanating from camp that's hard to ignore. Having fans in attendance for Sunday's session lent further weight to the collective enthusiasm developed in a relatively short space of time since the 2023 season concluded.
With that being said, here are three winners and two losers from Week 1 of Washington's training camp in 2024.
Winners and losers from Commanders 2024 training camp Week 1
Winner No. 1
Tariq Castro-Fields - Commanders CB
Opportunity knocks for those who display the right commitment and high performance levels. This is especially evident within the cornerback room, which comes with some genuine concerns heading into the 2024 campaign.
The Washington Commanders could have a surprise on their hands based on early impressions. Tariq Castro-Fields has the correct size and length Dan Quinn looks for in his cornerbacks. It's also worth remembering that he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers when Adam Peters had an influential say in proceedings.
This is all the momentum Castro-Fields needed to hit the ground running. He's caught the eye consistently over Week 1 of camp. The Commanders even placed the former sixth-round selection out of Penn State with the starting unit during scrimmages to further raise encouragement. Castro-Fields doesn't look out of place whatsoever.
Keeping this up when the pads go on is the next challenge, but his prospects look better now than at any stage during the offseason so far.
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.
Winner No. 2
Austin Ekeler - Commanders RB
The signing of veteran Austin Ekeler this offseason came with plenty of enticing possibilities. His production during a prolific spell with the Los Angeles Chargers was nothing short of outstanding. When the running back couldn't work out an agreement to stick around, the Washington Commanders pounced with swift conviction to secure his services.
Ekeler thought this was the best possible landing spot. He wanted to find a team with an explosive young running back capable of shouldering significant responsibilities. Brian Robinson Jr. is that guy in Washington, so this could be a highly productive tandem if both players stay clear of any severe injuries when competitive games commence.
Washington's training camp is still in its infancy, but Ekeler's wasted no time in stamping his mark on new surroundings. The former undrafted free agent out of Western Colorado set the tone through a strong work ethic and outstanding production when called upon. His on-field vision to exploit gaps when they arrive and elusiveness in the open field were encouraging during Week 1 according to those in attendance.
This is exactly what the Commanders had in mind when they acquired Ekeler. Robinson looks set for potential superstardom next season, but having an experienced backfield presence capable of influencing proceedings in the passing game and when red-zone chances emerge could be worth its weight in gold.
Ekeler represents a ready-made replacement and an upgrade on Antonio Gibson, who left for the New England Patriots in free agency. He's assumed a leadership role quickly and shows no signs of slowing down despite his advancing years for a running back with plenty of tread on the tires.
There's a lot of hard work ahead, but one couldn't be anything other than impressed by the way the dual-threat weapon's applied himself to date. If the same trend continues in the coming weeks, Ekeler will become an integral piece of Washington's offensive puzzle under progressive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in 2024.
Loser No. 2
Ramiz Ahmed - Commanders K
This is the big problem.
The Washington Commanders looked set at the kicking position without out much of a camp competition once upon a time. That is no longer the case.
Brandon McManus was signed in free agency. However, allegations of sexual assault during his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars saw him released by the Commanders following further investigations. This was the right call to make - a statement that the toxic culture under the previous owner would no longer be tolerated under Josh Harris' ownership group.
While that's a positive, it doesn't nothing to raise optimism better days are ahead for the kicking unit. Ramiz Ahmed got the first opportunity to secure the role after signing in the wake of McManus' hasty departure. Based on what those in attendance have seen over the opening exchanges at camp, he's not up to the required standard.
Ahmed's consistency is erratic, missing several efforts over the first week. This is unlikely to be going unnoticed by general manager Adam Peters, who won't hesitate to find reinforcements if he feels like it's the best thing for the Commanders next season.
This is almost guaranteed if Ahmed doesn't raise his performance levels in the coming days. Options are scarce on the market right now - which might be his saving grace. That is going to change when cuts start happening around the league.
Peters already stated his intent to be active on the waiver wire with Washington holding the No. 2 priority. Good kickers will be made surplus to requirements, so it would be a big shock if the new front-office leader didn't take advantage of that fact.
The Carolina Panthers - No. 1 on the waiver wire order - won't be needing a kicker. They're moving forward with either Eddy Pineiro or Harrison Mevis. This means Peters will have the pick of whatever options become available.
Ahmed's margin for error is gone. It'll take a monumental effort to shift these early narratives.
Winner No. 3
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. - Commanders CB
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. had a tough task awaiting him at camp. The cornerback's production was under the microscope more than most after a disastrous rookie campaign. Altering perceptions about his long-term outlook is an almost impossible challenge, but the former first-round selection is off to a tremendous start.
Forbes put on 17 pounds throughout the offseason in readiness for his sophomore campaign. He looks notably more muscular without losing his explosiveness. This was a huge positive when one considers how much the corner was bullied by opposing wide receivers after getting responsibilities he wasn't ready for under previous head coach Ron Rivera.
The presence of Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. is having the desired effect on Forbes. Both coaches come into the Commanders with outstanding credentials in defensive back development. They gave the Mississippi State product a huge confidence boost by slotting him as the starting option opposite Benjamin St-Juste over the opening stages of camp.
Those in power are giving Forbes a crash course in improved standards and what it takes to legitimately shut down one side of the field. Quinn and Whitt are lining him up frequently against Pro Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin during drills and scrimmages. The fact he's holding his own is a testament to how far the player's come in a short space of time under improved teaching methods.
Forbes' outlook is more promising, but the challenges don't get any easier leading into Washington's season-opener at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Grenada High School product has the small matter of padded practices to overcome this week. That's when things get more intense and physical. It'll be the litmus test in no uncertain terms.
If Forbes comes through this test with flying colors, encouragement will increase exponentially. He won't have everything his way - especially versus an elite route runner like McLaurin - but fighting through adversity and making plays when opportunities arise are the minimum requirements over Week 2 of training camp.