Jeremy McNichols
Getty
The Commanders have re-signed Jeremy McNichols to a one-year contract
The Washington Commanders did not have the 2025 campaign that they were hoping for, and they are looking to ensure that won’t happen again in 2026. The team has been aggressive early on this offseason, both when it comes to revamping their coaching staff and their roster, with the hope being that they can at least find their way back to the playoffs next year.
One area the Commanders have been adding to quite aggressively as of late is the running back room. After moving on from Austin Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington signed Rachaad White and Jerome Ford last week. Now, they are bringing back a key member from the 2025 team, Jeremy McNichols.
Commanders Re-Sign Jeremy McNichols to 1-Year Contract
Adam Schefter
Free-agent RB Jeremy McNichols is returning to Washington on a one-year deal, per sources.
Washington’s current backfield now will include McNichols, Bill Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White and Jerome Ford.
A fifth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, McNichols has bounced around quite a bit during his time in the league. After initially getting selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, McNichols has since spent time with nine different teams. It wasn’t until he found his way to the Commanders in 2024 that he finally earned himself a consistent role on offense.
While he hasn’t exactly been the team’s starter, McNichols has been involved in the team’s running back rotation, and he’s put up some solid numbers during his time on the field. McNichols has suited up for all 34 of Washington’s games over the past two years, racking up 482 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, while also catching 34 passes for 223 yards in the air.
McNichols isn’t the flashiest running back in the league, but he’s proven that when he touches the ball, he can make things happen for the Commanders. While the front office has already changed up the running back room quite a bit, they wanted to keep McNichols around, and they have managed to do that, as he re-signed with the team on a one-year contract Monday morning.
“Free-agent RB Jeremy McNichols is returning to Washington on a one-year deal, per sources,” Adam Schefter of ESPN reported in a post on X. “Washington’s current backfield now will include McNichols, Bill Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White and Jerome Ford.”
Commanders Have High Hopes for New-Look Running Back Room
Jeremy McNichols
GettyThe Commanders have re-signed Jeremy McNichols to a one-year contract
The makeup of Washington’s running back is certainly different from what it was last season, but McNichols’ role with the team figures to remain relatively the same. He’s not going to be the team’s first option to get touches, but he is a solid depth option who can come in and add another unique option for the Commanders on the ground.
When he’s been called upon in recent seasons, McNichols has answered the bell, and with Washington’s running back room looking more diverse than ever before, it’s fair to assume that there should be some big running lanes for the veteran rusher when he ends up on the field. With this move, the Commanders likely are done adding running backs, so look for them to address some of the other areas of need on their roster.