5 critical observations from Commanders 2024 training camp Day 7

Commanders kicking competition off to a hot start

The Washington Commanders have a new competition for fans to watch in the weeks before final cuts. After a less-than-stellar start to training camp for Ramiz Ahmed, those in power wasted no time in finding another kicker to potentially fill the starting void.

Riley Patterson was claimed off waivers after he was let go by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He's not the greatest, but there's more experience in a typical NFL game-day setting to call upon. The Commanders think he's got enough to warrant a closer look and his arrival at camp sparked this battle into life.

Players can go one or two ways when urgency increases and their job is on the line. Either they wilt under the pressure or thrive with the spotlight glaring. Based on first impressions, it seems like both kickers aren't going to go down without a fight.

According to those in attendance, the Commanders gave Ahmed and Patterson five field goal attempts from varied distances - 27, 33, 37, 47, and 53 yards. Both kickers were perfect, going 5-for-5 to get this clash off to a mouth-watering start.

This is exactly the sort of response Washington's coaching staff was looking for. Especially from Ahmed, who struggled to get going over the opening few sessions of camp. Competition is bringing out the best in them, although one can make a strong case for Patterson being in the driver's seat right now based on experience alone.

It's only one practice. The Commanders will let this play out for a while yet to get a broader perception of each kicker's consistency over a prolonged period under pressure. There's also a chance Adam Peters isn't quite convinced by either and acquires someone else depending on who becomes available on the waiver wire.

Washington's kicking competition is off to a hot start. It was a good first impression made by Ahmed and Patterson, but maintaining these performance levels will be the biggest challenge.