The Washington Commanders will have a committee approach in 2026, but head coach Dan Quinn likes what he sees from the room
Running backs coach Anthony Lynn had a feeling that the Washington Commanders could have a starter emerge heading into the start of the 2026 regular season, but the rest of the offseason gives a new-look room filled with a blend of experience and youth a chance to create a new identity.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt was in action after being sidelined during OTAs where the former seventh-round pick has a chance to prove himself as a do-it-all back with the receiving element largely absent in 2025. While Lynn pointed to a lack of reps rather than an inability for Croskey-Merritt, taking that step through the rest of the offseason is something that head coach Dan Quinn wants to see with a chance for an elevated, yet different role than his rookie season.
“Some of it from a play design, like a little bit different where some stretch, cut-back type of plays. Seeing him do that, his explosiveness to go into that, that’s a big deal," Quinn said on Thursday.
Quinn added he liked "finding out more" about the unit with running back Rachaad White expected to become the likely primary back in the rotation where he's "brought some things on the catching and receiving phase."
Croskey-Merritt admitted White is "very smooth catching the ball" with a chance for the former Tampa Bay running back to not only add that element that was missing in the offense, but step into a veteran role in the room.
"He’s been open arms to me just teaching me like how he does it, how he moves," Croskey-Merritt said of White.
Jeremy McNichols and Jerome Ford both anchor the end of the rotation while former UTSA and undrafted free agent Robert Henry Jr. fits the description as one of the two young running backs who Quinn highlighted he's been encouraged to watch this week. Of course, the other is sixth-round pick Kaytron Allen, who remains arguably the X-factor in the room where he fits the role as the short-yardage back with the Virginia native looking to cement a roster spot.
For an offense that ranked fourth in the NFL and second in the NFC with nearly 135 rushing yards per game, the Commanders will now look to build on that with more balance between the run and pass, while coordinator David Blough's play designs could feature quarterback Jayden Daniels in space with an opportunity to use his legs.
Yet with the focus on adding support around Daniels, it's why Quinn still sees "some main guys in certain parts" in the new rotation rather than a lead back with depth rounding out the eventual 53-man roster, adding the Commanders will feature "more than just one" in the backfield in 2026.
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