The Washington Commanders' mandatory minicamp is now in the rearview mirror. Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters have plenty to ponder in the coming weeks before training camp rolls around.
It was an intense few days for all involved. The atmosphere was a little different from Washington's voluntary OTAs. Quinn and his coaches ramped up the tempo, eager to see how each player, whether they were a franchise cornerstone or fighting for a roster spot, would respond. And everyone reacted positively to some increased demands.
Some are coming to the fore more than others. Preparations are still in their infancy, but catching the eye now provides a strong platform from which to build over the summer. And if Peters isn't entirely satisfied with the way things are unfolding, he won't hesitate to add more competition.
The stakes are higher than ever for Washington after a sensational first season with Quinn leading the charge. Everything seems to be proceeding as planned, although some slight injury worries are worth monitoring in the weeks leading up to training camp.
That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are five Commanders players who turned heads with superstar swagger on Day 3 of their mandatory minicamp.
Commanders players who turned heads with superstar swagger on Day 3 of minicamp
Deebo Samuel Sr. - Commanders WR
Don't let the social media engagement farmers fool you. Deebo Samuel Sr. means business, and he's here to make a significant impact on the Washington Commanders in 2025.
The outrageous claims about Samuel being slow and out of shape based on a jog-through install were asinine at the time and even more so now. Those aggregators know nothing about football and even less about the day-to-day structure of an NFL practice. All reports have been glowing about the former second-round pick from those in the building. That's all fans should be concerned about.
Head coach Dan Quinn praised Samuel's surprising speed and explosiveness during his media availability. The Commanders' social media team also threw their support behind the wide receiver, showcasing a nice catch and run that quashed any fears in the blink of an eye.
mama there goes that man pic.twitter.com/k5rRGNmEPo
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 12, 2025
This is an imposing start to Samuel's time in Washington. Maintaining optimum fitness levels over the next five weeks before training camp is crucial. The Commanders will be on hand to help in any way they can, but the wideout shouldn't be lacking in motivation to stay in shape.
After all, he's got some doubters to silence and another new contract potentially in the offing.