Washington Commanders 2024 preseason schedule: Full list of games

The Washington Commanders are well into training camp with preseason games on the immediate horizon. This is a chance for Dan Quinn and his staff to get a good measure of where this team is and what more might be required before Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's also a chance for those on the fringes to stake their claim for involvement when the real action arrives.

Although the Commanders plan to play quarterback Jayden Daniels and other key personnel in the preseason, it's unlikely to be for long. This is a time when less heralded individuals can force their way into the team's plans with strong showings. For many, it could be the deciding factor between winning a roster spot and being cast aside entirely.

The Commanders are giving everyone a legitimate opportunity under the new regime. Plans are slowly coming along and excitement is growing among the fanbase thanks to the improved infrastructure across the franchise. Preseason results won't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but becoming undisciplined and complacent isn't going to go down well.

Washington will play three warmup contests before their season opener. It used to be four before the NFL moved to a 17-game campaign. It might get even less once it becomes 18 fixtures, which looks well on the way to being confirmed sooner rather than later.

Here's who the Commanders will face during the preseason.

Commanders 2024 preseason games, dates and times

• Preseason Week 1: at New York Jets - Saturday, August 10 (5 p.m. ET)
• Preseason Week 2: at Miami Dolphins - Saturday, August 17 (7 p.m. ET)
• Preseason Week 3: vs. New England Patriots - Sunday, August 25 (8 p.m. ET)

Two of the three AFC East teams on the preseason slate harbor playoff ambitions in 2024. Just how many established figures will be on the field remains to be seen, but they should be good challenges for the Commanders in their quest to emerge from the proverbial wilderness and back to respectability.

Reading too much into preseason clashes is a habit fans get into for good or bad. They can raise enthusiasm or pessimism depending on how things play out. The most important thing from Washington's standpoint is everyone coming through unscathed on the health front. That's arguably worth more than any bolstered chemistry or morale-boosting successes.

The Commanders need everyone fit and firing on all cylinders to get this exciting dawn off to the best possible start. Quinn can ill afford some key personnel to miss time because they were risked in the preseason. This is about finding the correct balance between molding a cohesive unit and conserving energy.

Quinn and his staff have been around the block before. They'll know how to ensure this revamped roster is at optimum levels when competitive action commences. Preseason can be tiresome for some, but red flags that appear often show their face in the regular season. This is something the Commanders will look to avoid at all costs.

Football is back. It's only the preseason, but something is better than nothing.

More Commanders news and analysis