July 19, 2026, 7:02 a.m. ET

In a few short days, Washington Commanders players will begin trickling in for training camp. The rookies report on July 24, with the veterans reporting a few days later on July 28. On July 29, practice begins.

It’s been a busy offseason for the Commanders. Washington allowed several free agents to depart, choosing to replace them with younger free agents. It was a concentrated effort by general manager Adam Peters to get younger and faster this offseason.

So, while many of Washington’s newcomers have much to prove in 2026, so do some holdovers. How will some of the returning players adjust to new offensive and defensive schemes? As we prepare for training camp, we look at five Commanders with the most at stake at training camp this summer.

WR Luke McCaffrey

McCaffrey was trending in the right direction before breaking his collarbone midway through last season. He quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s top kickoff returners in the first half, averaging almost 30 yards per return. As a receiver, McCaffrey only had 15 targets in nine games, but caught 11 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns. He also averaged 18.5 yards per reception. He was making the most out of his chances, and his catch against the Chargers in Week 5 was one of Washington’s best offensive plays last season. McCaffrey isn’t in danger of being cut, but there’s a major opportunity in front of him. With the Commanders’ questions at receiver, McCaffrey can land a starting role with a strong training camp.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.WR Treylon Burks

Yes, another wide receiver. Burks, like McCaffrey, has a chance to earn a starting job. The Commanders really like the former Tennessee first-round pick. He impressed upon his arrival last October, earning praise from teammates and coaches. His catch against Denver on Sunday Night Football was arguably the best in the NFL. He offers great size (6-foot-2, 225) and is excellent after the catch. Health has always been the biggest knock against Burks. The talent is there. The Commanders don’t need Burks to catch 80 balls to be a success in 2026. He needs to carve out a significant role and earn Daniels’s trust. That began last season and continued through the offseason. Like McCaffrey, Burks’ spot is safe for 2026. A strong year could lead Washington to give him a multi-year deal. Burks can make or break his 2026 season with how he performs in training camp.

DL Jer’Zhan Newton

In two years, the 2024 second-round pick has failed to separate himself as a franchise cornerstone. Newton showed great promise in Washington’s Christmas Day game against the Cowboys last season, finishing with nine tackles, three sacks, two tackles for loss and five quarterback hits. He was dominant. Unfortunately, those types of performances have been more of an outlier in two NFL seasons. Washington’s front seven is better and deeper in 2026. Newton needs to stand out. The Commanders would love to see Newton get off to a fast start in training camp and force defensive coordinator Daronte Jones to start him. The talent is there. Now, it’s about results.

C Matt Gulbin

Wait, a rookie sixth-round center? Yes. You could make the case that center is the position with the most questions ahead of training camp. The Commanders released starter Tyler Biadasz this offseason. They made a run for Tyler Linderbaum, but the Raiders blew up the pay scale for centers with his new deal. So, Nick Allegretti is back and will start at center. Washington seems fine with that. There are questions, though, and for good reason. It would be wise for the Commanders to add another veteran center behind Allegretti, but that doesn’t seem likely. That puts Gulbin in a unique position. He must show offensive coordinator David Blough he has no snap issues and can call protections. If he shows that, Gulbin’s spot is almost guaranteed. The Commanders like their offensive line backups to be able to play multiple positions. Gulbin started at center and guard in college. Gulbin is seemingly one snap away from becoming Washington’s center in 2026.

K Jake Moody

Moody is competing for the starting kicker job with undrafted rookie Drew Stevens. Whichever kicker fails to make the team, he should be able to find work elsewhere. These two committed this offseason, with each kicker holding his own. Both have a big leg. The Commanders are Moody’s third NFL team, and he’s a former third-round pick. He kicked well when he arrived last season. This battle will continue throughout the entire preseason, unless one of these two stumbles early. Moody can’t afford many bad days. Moody has much more pressure on him than Stevens does.