Commanders offseason shakeup sparks defiant response from breakout weapon

The Washington Commanders were not going to be conservative in free agency. General manager Adam Peters was projected to be aggressive, and he delivered, bringing in 12 new faces over an eventful first wave that left fans feeling less anxious about the team's chances in 2026.

These also included two running backs. And perhaps not coincidentally, the moves were swiftly followed by a not-so-subtle reminder from another backfield force eager to remain a huge part of Washington's plans.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. didn't receive an exclusive rights tender, quickly signing a decent deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jeremy McNichols remains on the free-agent market and is unlikely to return. The Commanders offset these losses with Rachaad White, who reunites with his former college quarterback Jayden Daniels in Washington, and Jerome Ford.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt won't be giving up his Commanders' spot without a fight

The Commanders might not be done adding to the backfield, especially if speculation around Washington drafting Jeremiyah Love at No. 7 overall proves accurate. That remains to be seen, but based on the work Jacory Croskey-Merritt is doing over the offseason, he won't be giving up his role without a fight.

Croskey-Merritt was an afterthought during the pre-draft process, but the Commanders saw enough to take him at No. 245 overall. What followed was an immensely impressive rookie campaign that far exceeded his seventh-round billing.

More competition has arrived. More could be on the way. Croskey-Merritt has overcome plenty of adversity to reach this point, so he's not planning on letting it slip now.

And based on this social media post, he is putting in the hard yards now in pursuit of hitting the ground running when on-field preparations for the 2026 campaign begin.

New offensive coordinator David Blough praised Croskey-Merritt during his introductory press conference. The rookie play-caller believes he can have a big future, potentially as a lead back asset, with some extra refinement. The Commanders could be moving forward with a committee, but the Arizona product has momentum. He also takes absolutely nothing for granted, which will only serve him well moving forward.

Croskey-Merritt saw his draft stock plummet when the NCAA revoked his eligibility in 2025. This made him even more determined to maximize his NFL opportunity when it arrived, and Washington benefited greatly from his rookie contribution.

At the same time, that counts for nothing now. Everyone starts with a clean slate under Blough, and the landscape shifts dramatically if the Commanders draft Love. But until then, Croskey-Merritt wants everyone to know he won't be resting on his early accomplishments in the pros.

And in all honesty, that was never in question.