Washington Commanders Execute Major Trade, Shift Focus to Preseason Finale
In a surprising turn of events, the Washington Commanders have traded wide receiver Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles. This move has undoubtedly left a significant void in Washington’s receiving corps, as Dotson had been a core element in their attack.
Dotson's move was unexpected by many, including his teammates. Dyami Brown expressed his surprise, saying, “I was speechless. That was a weird one ... didn't really expect that one. For him to go, I wish him the best of luck. We've been here, and we built that brotherly bond. It's always love. I wish the best for him.”
Despite Dotson’s departure, the Commanders remain steadfast in their preparations. They are gearing up for a practice on Friday, which has a game preparation focus. This practice is crucial as they head toward their preseason finale against the New England Patriots.
The Commanders have been making headlines not just for the Dotson trade but also for their activities in reshaping their special teams unit. Recently, they acquired kicker Cade York from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick. This comes after releasing Riley Patterson, who had missed two field goals against the Miami Dolphins. Interestingly, York was notably absent from practice, raising questions about his immediate readiness.
Kliff Kingsbury, the head coach, has kept an optimistic outlook despite the recent shifts. He praised the remaining wide receiver squad, expressing, “Very confident. They've made a bunch of plays so far in camp. [I've] been impressed, like I said, with how they've gotten better since the spring and continue to improve and [be a] very hard-working, competitive room.”
One notable standout in training camp has been quarterback Daniels. He has shown a penchant for connecting with his targets, especially in the red zone. Daniels found rookie Luke McCaffrey for a touchdown on the first play of red-zone situations and connected with Zach Ertz for a roughly 40-yard touchdown. Further, he teamed up with Terry McLaurin for two touchdowns in a four-play span during an earlier red zone drill. Although he had a few setbacks, like a throw behind Ertz that was broken up by Jeremy Reaves and a fumbled snap, Daniels rebounded swiftly by finding Ertz and Austin Ekeler for touchdowns in subsequent red-zone work.
On the defensive side, linebacker Frankie Luvu has been a standout, making a significant impact with a pair of interceptions. Jeremy Reaves, who also showcased his defensive prowess, added two pass breakups to his tally. Tyler Owens demonstrated solid coverage by contesting a throw from Jeff Driskel to Mitchell Tinsley.
The defensive line has faced some challenges with Brandon Coleman and Johnny Newton continuing to be out. Coleman, however, did partake in some individual work, indicating some progress in his recovery.
Phidarian Mathis has been receiving accolades for his pass-rushing ability, contributing to a successful long touchdown play from Daniels to Ertz. Kingsbury couldn't help but acknowledge the depth and potential within the team, recognizing a "No. 1 back" in the roster. Joe Whitt Jr. shared his enthusiasm about an unnamed player, saying, “He's going to be a very good player at it. I mean he has some traits that I'm excited for this young man moving forward in his future.”
As the Commanders move toward their final preseason game, their focus remains on refining their strategies, evaluating player performances, and overcoming the challenges posed by injuries and roster changes. With the preseason finale against the New England Patriots approaching, the team has a pivotal moment to solidify their lineup and strategy before the regular season kicks off.