ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders are on break until training camp begins July 27. It’s a good time to offer takeaways from OTAs and minicamp practices and reflect on where the organization stands in what is likely the final summer with Dan Snyder as owner.
Here’s Part 1. Part 2 will be later this week, covering the QB competition, sale timeline, other rookies and fun roster battles.
🎙Wrapping up Commanders off-season program with @NickiJhabvala. Sale update. The QB Whisperer. Appreciation for Jack Del Rio's defense. Using available cap space. Off-season MVP. "Hard Knocks."https://t.co/ACEevXY96W
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) June 13, 2023
A high draft pick rarely arrives without a clear understanding of how a team intends to use him. That was the case when Washington used the No. 66 pick on the multi-faceted playmaker from the University of Memphis — but in a super fun way.
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Leading into his rookie season, I wrote a story pondering how Washington might deploy Gibson, a 6-foot, 228-pounder with 4.39 speed. Opinions varied wildly from “big back you can split out at receiver” to “slot receiver,” but all concepts involving the impressive raw talent came to a similar conclusion.
“As much as you can, get the ball in his hands,” said Mike Norvell, Memphis’ coach during Gibson’s two seasons there. “He might be the hardest guy to tackle that I’ve ever coached. And so being able to try to create that space …”
On draft night, Washington’s then-VP of player personnel, Kyle Smith, called Gibson a “Swiss Army knife” capable of being paired with different types of running backs. Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice and newly signed J.D. McKissic were also on the roster.
“You can use this guy in a lot of different ways,” Smith said, “so it opens up a lot of different options for our offense.”
Despite his versatility, Gibson has mostly been a traditional running back. Although productive as a rookie (4.7-yard rushing average, 11 TDs), he battled fumbles and was benched at times in 2021. His efficiency hit a low last season (3.7 average), and he’s never been a high-volume pass catcher, in part because of McKissic’s presence.
This history lesson is important because Eric Bieniemy’s arrival as offensive coordinator means a shift in planning toward Norvell’s approach: Get Gibson the ball in space.
“Most certainly,” Washington coach Ron Rivera said.
Bieniemy brought the RB screen, an afterthought last season in Washington, from Kansas City. As evidenced during minicamp, Gibson’s size-speed-hands combination makes him a dynamic option for such plays.
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McKissic’s release and the draft selection of the power-packed Chris Rodriguez created more opportunities for Gibson, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, as the backfield’s receiving threat. Or a change-of-pace option. Or a player who can motion outside or shift behind the quarterback against a light defensive box.
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We’ll wait before making predictions on the number of touches — Curtis Samuel will garner similar backfield work at times, and Brian Robinson remains the bell cow — but Gibson’s effectiveness has the potential to rise, turning him into a “matchup nightmare for the opponent,” Rivera said.
“Eric wants to make sure (Antonio) gets as many opportunities right now to show us what he’s capable of,” Rivera continued, “because I think that’ll be a big part of the game planning.”
Trading Young now makes no sense, which is why they won’t
Rivera and staff wouldn’t have lacked justification if they chose to end Chase Young’s tenure in Washington somewhere between the Super Bowl and the NFL Draft.
There’s the lack of production (1.5 sacks over 12 games) since Young’s award-winning 2020 rookie season. The lengthy recovery from a significant knee injury in November of the following season cost him 22 games.
Asset allocation matters for roster building, and Washington already spent big on two defensive tackles. Montez Sweat, the team’s more proven defensive end, is a 2024 free agent. So is Young after the Commanders declined his fifth-year option for $17.5 million. It’s unrealistic to think the team will retain both with hefty extensions regardless of their 2023 performances.
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Even with Young’s on-field havoc-wreaking potential, that’s a comprehensive list of reasons for the Commanders to think Young is a sunk cost and cut bait. Or at least there was in March and April, when 2023 draft selections could help the immediate cause. At this point, what can help Rivera and his staff stay beyond this upcoming season?
A revitalized Chase Young.
Sure, Washington could trade Young. The roster depth includes players who replaced him last season and two rookies selected on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. But none offer anything close to Young’s ceiling. The 2020 campaign is long ago, but Young had 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss while forcing four fumbles. Last season, Efe Obada, James Smith-Williams and Casey Toohill combined for eight sacks, 11 TFLs, and zero forced fumbles.
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The Commanders could receive a compensatory 2025 third-round pick if the 2020 Pro Bowl selection signs elsewhere as a free agent. Therefore, any trade package centered around picks must top that compensation. Even then, future picks might help the organization, but not necessarily this staff, should new ownership decide that a new era requires new football leadership.
We haven’t mentioned whether Young, who has been dinged for maturity and discipline on and off the field, effectively spent his offseason workouts improving his craft.
The No. 2 selection in the 2020 NFL Draft passed on participating in Washington’s voluntary workouts but arrived for last week’s mandatory minicamp ready to work. Young showed confidence in the surgically repaired right knee during workouts.
“Night and day,” Young said of how the knee feels compared to three late-season appearances last season. “My confidence, my strength, everything.”
The Commanders' masked singer returned to practice, but Chase Young's voice wasn't the story. Other than what he had to say about Washington declining his 5th-year option, strengthening that surgically-repaired right knee and his game.
"I'm ready to go."https://t.co/0msoXKzIex
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) June 6, 2023
That’s the athletic component. Rivera is banking on motivation pushing Young to new heights after watching Daron Payne turn a contract year into the best season of his career (and a huge new deal) with 11.5 sacks.
“This is a production-based business, and you have to produce,” Rivera said, echoing recent comments from defensive coordinator Jack del Rio. “That’s what Daron did. Our intent is to keep our guys. Guys that produce for us, we want them to be around … to be part of what we’re doing. That’s pretty much been the message, and I believe (Chase has) adapted to it very nicely. … He’s been on top of things.”
What won’t become evident until training camp or those joint practices with the Ravens is whether Young developed his pass rushing and broad skill set after relying on his athletic gifts upon joining Washington.
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“Some of the inconsistencies with Chase … he just (didn’t) have a plan,” Commanders analyst Logan Paulsen said of the pre-injury Young. More film study on the opponents’ tendencies while developing his skills, including “a more consistent move at the top” of his pass rush, would move Young to another level, Paulsen said.
There’s always the risk that Young wows in 2023, pushing his price tag well beyond the $17.5 million option and into the arms of another team next offseason. That would mean he thrived; therefore, Washington likely did as well. Do not ignore that final point. It’s why trading Young now makes little sense, even if there are no guarantees he morphs back into a difference-maker.
Forbes won’t play in the slot. Who will?
Emmanuel Forbes was never a real consideration for the slot. Yes, coaches sometimes used the first-round pick inside, starting in rookie camp. They wanted Forbes to see all angles after spending nearly every snap on the outside at Mississippi State, where he set an NCAA record with six interceptions returned for touchdowns. Washington sought playmaking this offseason, and initial practices showed a cornerback who was always around the ball. No need to mess with success. That’s why Forbes will be the outside CB opposite Kendall Fuller.
Therefore, Benjamin St-Juste becomes an option in the slot, where he opened in 2022 before William Jackson’s struggles moved the 6-foot-3 CB outside. Though more natural outside, St-Juste says he now feels as comfortable in either spot. His size provides coaches with a matchup plan against big targets like Falcons wide receiver Drake London and Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert. However, that doesn’t mean St-Juste will land the most slot snaps.
That’s because of second-round rookie Quan Martin, a safety with corner ability who was drafted for this specific job. Defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer said Martin has “incredible flexibility” schematically thanks to his ability to play closer to the line of scrimmage, center field and perhaps outside if needed.
Washington leaned into three-safety lineups the prior two seasons, often because of available personnel. Don’t be surprised if that happens again since Martin, Kamren Curl, Darrick Forrest, Percy Butler and Jeremy Reaves offer the best set of safety options the team has had in forever.
Curl sat out team drills in OTAs and minicamp while waiting for contract negotiations, providing a good reminder of the depth available now and beyond should talks with the 2024 free agent go sideways.
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The trio of corners also means coaches can dictate terms or matchups with the offense as they desire.
Improved health from 2022
Young wasn’t the only player unavailable for OTAs, minicamp, and the start of training camp in 2022. Tight end Logan Thomas continued his recovery from a 2021 ACL tear and opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list. Same with Young and the team’s top two centers, Chase Roullier and Tyler Larsen.
Those absences — plus minicamp holdout Terry McLaurin — didn’t help new quarterback Carson Wentz acclimate. But Sam Howell and Brissett practiced with a full arsenal outside of tight end Armani Rogers, who suffered a likely season-ending Achilles tear on the first day of OTAs.
Coincidentally, Rogers was the only tight end to avoid injury last summer. Thomas had no apparent setbacks, but the rust was evident and remained for much of the season. During this cycle, the 31-year-old resembled his pre-injury form.
Paulsen, a former NFL tight end, called Thomas “outstanding” in practices. He noted the 6-foot-6 target was consistently “using his frame against smaller defenders to make plays,” along with an apparent good rapport with Howell.
Linebacker Jamin Davis sat out the offseason program following a knee procedure after rest and rehab weren’t enough to offset discomfort. No timetable has been stated, but the 2021 first-round pick will likely return for training camp.
Trainers continue treating wide receiver Curtis Samuel like a sports car by monitoring him closely for warning signs. They also worked with undrafted receiver/returner Kazmeir Allen (hamstring), but the infamous side field was sparse.
Not wanting to tempt fate played some role in the staff turning Tuesday’s voluntary OTA into a light workout. Coaches can head into the break thinking about the roster largely intact this year. That level of certainty must feel great, especially when so much else is unclear.
(Photo of Antonio Gibson: Alex Brandon / Associated Press)
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