The Washington Commanders kept Treylon Burks on their 53-man roster. But make no mistake; this remains a make-or-break campaign for the wide receiver in pursuit of galvanizing his career.
And stability is everything right now.
The Commanders took seven wide receivers through. Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, and third-round rookie Antonio Williams were roster locks. Jaylin Lane's special-teams value saw him make it. Dyami Brown was also rewarded for his hard work with a spot.
Treylon Burks must make Year 2 with the Commanders count after roster reprieve
That left Burks, 2024 third-round pick Luke McCaffrey, veteran Van Jefferson Jr. and undrafted rookie Jaden Bradley. But when the Arkansas product got the night off in Washington's final preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, that told fans all they needed to know.
It's a massive vote of confidence from the primary decision-makers in Burks.
Now, the hard work is just getting started.
Offensive coordinator David Blough believes in Burks. The wideout was sold on his vision for the offense and his potential role within it before signing a one-year extension worth up to $4 million with incentives. He's always had the physical tools to be more impactful, but putting it all together has been difficult.
Injuries haven't helped. The situation with the Tennessee Titans was not ideal, placing pressure on Burks that he simply wasn't ready for. But with a new home in Washington, he could excel as a complementary piece if schemed for effectively.
Now is the time. Nothing else will suffice.
Burks got a second chance in Washington, which he richly deserved after some outstanding flashes last season. But if the required progress doesn't arrive with the stakes so high for head coach Dan Quinn's squad in 2026, it would be hard to justify another deal next spring.
Treylon Burks can be a valuable feature in Commanders' passing attack under David Blough
What comes next is down to Burks.
One could safely say that McLaurin, Diggs, and Williams are ahead of him in the pecking order. Tight end Chig Okonkwo and running back Rachaad White should also be a big part of the passing attack, but all bets are off aside from that.
If Blough trusts Burks, he'll get his fair share of targets throughout the season. And with so much firepower around him, there should be more one-on-one opportunities to flourish for the 2022 first-round pick.
Staying healthy is crucial. That is the most important element of this equation.
Burks endured some horrendous luck on the health front in Tennessee. Problems have been a lot fewer in Washington, though a couple of nagging issues have dented his momentum. Even so, he's not being tasked with an alpha-like role — not with McLaurin and Diggs around. This should enable Blough to manage his reps and ensure the player is available from start to finish.
Easier said than done, but not impossible by any stretch.
It remains a precarious situation for Burks. There is no getting away from that.
Most have already made up their minds about Burks being a draft bust. But even though he might not even live up to his first-round billing, that doesn't mean all hope is lost with a fresh start alongside a play-caller in Blough who should know how to put him in the best possible positions to thrive.
And if Burks meets expectations, another new deal should be on the table from general manager Adam Petters when the time comes.
After making the roster, this is the new goal. And momentum around Burks hasn't been this high since his college days.
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