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Why the Commanders Running Back Competition Matters More Than Fans Think
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- Why the Commanders Running Back Competition Matters More Than Fans Think
The Commanders running back room continues to remain a question. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is coming back for a second year, they re-signed Jeremy McNichols , and brought in free agents Rachaad White and Jerome Ford each on one-year deals.
They also drafted Kaytron Allen from Penn State in the sixth round and signed UDFA Robert Henry Jr. from the University of Texas, San Antonio. Despite ending 2025 with the fourth-most rushing yards in the league and eighth-most rushing touchdowns, the roster, as it remains before training camp, lacks any major star power.
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In a division with major players like Saquon Barkley in Philadelphia and rising star Cam Skattebo in New York, the Commanders look to enter 2026 with a strong ground game of their own.
When general manager, Adam Peters introduced four new playmakers into the equation, he gave third-year Head Coach Dan Quinn and first-year offensive coordinator David Blough a lot of room to create competition. Croskey-Merritt showed promise in the back half of the year with his 72-yard touchdown run on Christmas day but it remains unknown if he can sustain the success.
Dan Quinn addresses concerns
Jul 24, 2025; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters (L) talks with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn (R) while walking off the practice field on day two of training camp at OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Quinn has left no doubt that he wants to see changes in the offense by working with Blough to creating a plan that puts Jayden Daniels under center more and puts an emphasis on the rushing attack. ESPN's John Keim wrote "[Dan Quinn] made it clear during meetings last season that he wanted to run the ball more, according to multiple team sources. And he discussed it after the season as well."
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Despite the crowdedness of the running back room, Quinn seemed optimistic about the challenge that it's bringing to all six currently in the running for a spot on the final 53-man roster.
"It'll some main guys in certain parts, where it may not be one person the entire time. But I do like the competition within the group, I think we'll for sure be more than just one" Quinn said during a press conference after OTAs in June.
Rachaad White looks to bounce back
The most notable addition to the group was free agent signing Rachaad White who has steadily decreased his production since his breakout season in 2023. While he recorded 4.3 yards per carry in 2025 which was on par with the previous years rate, White only racked up 572 total yards of offense, a career low. Working behind a consistently reliable Sam Cosmi and a key building block of the offense in Josh Conerly Jr. on the right side, White looks to return to the form that put him on the map in 2023.
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With only two of the six current running backs being returners from the year prior, it is still wildly unclear how this new-look offense will approach running the ball.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
