4 Commanders players who must bounce back at 2024 training camp
By Dean Jones
Jeremy Reaves - Commanders S
Adam Peters didn't think much of Ron Rivera's roster building. That much is obvious after very few holdovers from the previous regime got new deals throughout a frantic spring on the recruitment front.
Nobody was complaining too much about that. This roster was in dire need of regeneration and invigoration. There's a long way to go, but the general manager is off to a great start as he looks to get the Washington Commanders back among the playoff contenders.
There were a few exceptions to this rule. Jamison Crowder and Cornelius Lucas re-signed and could play important roles. Jeremy Reaves also got a reprieve, signing a one-year, $2.67 million deal to remain with the franchise.
This was a popular move among the fanbase. Reaves rose from obscurity to become one of the league's most dominant special teams performers. He earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2022. Any hope of building on this newfound momentum last season came to an abrupt halt after a serious injury ended his campaign after just five games.
Many wondered if this would be the end of his encouraging stint in the nation's capital. Getting a new deal was a supreme vote of confidence from Peters and the coaching staff. Reaves is back at practice and eager to make up for some lost time, but complacency cannot become an issue when training camp commences.
The Commanders made positive changes to their safety options this offseason. Peters let Kamren Curl walk without offering him a new contract. However, the additions of Jeremy Chinn and Dominique Hampton bring a different dimension to the options at Washington's disposal.
Reaves faces a fight to establish himself all over again. His special teams prowess almost guarantees he'll be on the roster. Whether he can force his way onto the defensive rotation more frequently is dependent on how he performs when the pads go on and in preseason games.