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Amid an onslaught of news about their future stadium and a future NFL Draft in D.C., the Washington Commanders got back to football this weekend with their three-day rookie minicamp.
Although the on-field work is limited at this point of the offseason as the players get up to speed with the playbook and the coaching staff, Coach Dan Quinn views this weekend as an invaluable table-setter for some of the team's youngest members -- and an opportunity for the 21 others invited on a tryout basis.
"I want to see, one, the learning -- what's going to be taken from the classroom and brought to the field," Quinn said Saturday afternoon ahead of the team's one-hour workout. "As a coach, you want to hear the communication that takes place on offense, on defense, on the special teams side."
The Commanders won't have full 11-on-11 team drills during minicamp; live contact is not permitted at this stage of the offseason. Instead, they will have walk-throughs to review plays and then use the on-field work to focus on specific skills necessary to execute those plays -- and do some seven-on-seven drills as well.
"Think of it like onboarding," Quinn said. "These are the standards. These are things that are important to us. These are the ways that we go about it, and it doesn't just take place over one weekend."
Here are some takeaways from the second day of rookie camp practice:
AMOS SAYS ALL IS WELL
After the draft, ESPN reported that Trey Amos, who initially was viewed as one of the top cornerback prospects, was found during the predraft process to have a back injury. That may have caused him to slide to the second round, where the Commanders selected him at No. 61.
Amos fully participated in Friday's and Saturday's workouts, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. When asked about the injury, he and Quinn offered scant details and showed little concern.
"That's probably a better one for [General Manager Adam Peters], but each team has its own medical report," Quinn said. "For our club, it was something that we were comfortable with."
Added Amos: "Everything's good. I'm out here still competing, practicing. So, really, no signs. ... Everything's in a great mindset, great direction."
A FAMILIAR NAME
Gabe Taylor, a safety out of Rice and the younger brother of late Washington safety Sean Taylor, was invited to rookie minicamp.
Although he's undersized for the position at 5-10 and 190 pounds, Taylor led the Owls with three interceptions last season and finished his college career with 10. In 2024, he added 56 tackles (tied for the team high), 3 sacks, 6 pass breakups and 2 forced fumbles.
He's hoping his college film and his work over these three days in Ashburn will earn him a longer stay with the franchise he grew up watching as his brother starred.
"I had to take a moment, take a deep breath when I just looked at the helmet," he said. "I've been watching ... the Commanders all my life. I could've gone somewhere else [for rookie minicamp], but I chose here for a reason. Hopefully I get to put it on again and continue forward with them."
He added: "Just coming through these doors and all the memories. They got the 21 jersey on the wall in the equipment room, and you just see my brother's name. It's something I feel like I got to do and to represent him."
LATE-ROUND STEAL
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, the Commanders' seventh-round pick (245th overall), could be one of the more intriguing additions to the roster. The 5-11 running back played just one game at Arizona last season because of eligibility issues and enters the NFL at 24. But many analysts projected he would be selected much earlier because of his proven skill, production and potential at the pro level.
On Saturday, his size (208 pounds) and shiftiness stood out in the limited on-field work, in which he showed his blocking ability in passing drills and his lateral quickness while working with running backs coach/run game coordinator Anthony Lynn.
"I'm comfortable with doing whatever," Croskey-Merritt said. "I consider myself a versatile back. I want to be able to do everything that's needed to be great at this level."
HOLA, SPAIN?
The NFL will release its full 2025 schedule Wednesday, but the eight international games will be announced a day earlier.
The league previously revealed that the Miami Dolphins will host a game in Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of soccer power Real Madrid -- and the Commanders could be their opponent. If they are, it will be the first time in nine years that Washington's NFL franchise heads overseas for a regular season game. Washington played Cincinnati to a tie in London in 2016.
When asked about the possibility of playing in Spain, Quinn showed he was prepared for the moment. After pausing briefly to remember what he had just learned from Google Translate, he said with a wide grin: "Sin comentarios. No comment."
Commanders Coach Dan Quinn, left, talks with General Manager Adam Peters during rookie minicamp Saturday. MUST CREDIT: John McDonnell/For The Washington Post
Commanders Coach Dan Quinn, left, talks with General Manager Adam Peters during rookie minicamp Saturday. MUST CREDIT: John McDonnell/For The Washington Post