The Washington Commanders are no longer handing out prominent roles and roster spots based on previous reputations or draft status. Everything will be earned under the new regime. Anyone not pulling their weight or not displaying the right commitment is unlikely to last long.
That's the only way this struggling organization will rise from obscurity and back among the contenders. Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters are giving everyone a legitimate chance to prove their worth. It was a drastic roster cull throughout the offseason - something that raises the stakes further if those still around want to avoid a similar fate.
Everything is a competition. Everyone is starting with a clean slate. This is a genuine fresh start with very few reminders of the previous regimes and certainly, the torrid ownership of Dan Snyder.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn lights a fire under Jahan Dotson
One of the more curious cases centers on Jahan Dotson. The wide receiver hasn't quite met the level anticipated of a first-round selection so far. He's been solid enough with two straight seasons of more than 500 receiving yards, but the expected breakout under Eric Bieniemy didn't occur in 2023 - something that has to change this time around.
Dotson was expected to be the No. 2 wideout option behind Pro Bowl standout Terry McLaurin. That might still be the case, but there are growing doubts about his projected role as others also stake a strong claim for prominent targets.
This was a sentiment echoed by Quinn when speaking to the media before joint practice against the Miami Dolphins. The former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator stated that it's an ongoing battle for the WR2 spot, which was a not-so-subtle warning to Dotson in pursuit of convincing the coaching staff he's worthy of the same depth standing in 2024.
I would say we are right in the middle of it [the WR2 battle]. You'll see a lot of guys in today [joint practice]. You'll see two, three, four, five. There's a lot of guys who are really battling. I've been really impressed with Olamide [Zaccheaus]. I think he's had a really strong camp. Looking forward to getting Luke [McCaffrey] some extra work. Jahan [Dotson]. Dyami [Brown]. So that's where we're at, and then the special teams is gonna factor into that as well.Dan Quinn
It would be a surprise if the Commanders didn't find a use for Dotson. He's elusive and knows how to get open. However, this is not as cut and dried as it appeared earlier this offseason.
This could be Quinn trying to light a fire under Dotson and see how he responds. The Penn State product shouldn't be short of motivation with his fifth-year option decision looming after the campaign. Having extra competition for his spot is urgent enough, so it's a big test of character for someone who's had things almost all his way since joining the Commanders in 2022.
What comes next is down to Dotson, in all honesty. He's got the skills and boasts the traits that can be a significant asset within Kliff Kingsbury's schematic concepts. Quinn's comments will remove any sense of complacency he was feeling, which should provide the springboard to finishing off the team's preparations on a positive note.
That's not guaranteed. But the gauntlet has been laid down to Dotson in no uncertain terms.
