The Commanders don’t necessarily have a feature running back. Those guys don’t exist much anymore these days, anyway, with rare exceptions.
Bijan Robinson. Saquon Barkley. Derrick Henry. Jonathan Taylor. Even James Cook.
Most teams don’t have a guy like that. Even Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit has a David Montgomery. A tandem or by-committee rushing approach is more common than not these days.
That sure seems to be the case in Washington. Bill Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White are the obvious top two, though
sixth-round rookie Kaytron Allen could also play an important part in this upcoming season. So could veteran Jeremy McNichols, who always seems to land on his feet.
Don’t take that approach as a bad thing. As long as the running-back roles are well defined and suited to player strengths – and the offensive line doesn’t stink — coordinator David Blough can get things moving on the ground.
“It’s probably some main guys in certain parts,” head coach Dan Quinn told on-site reporters after Thursday’s final minicamp practice. “It’s not going to be one person the entire time, but I do like the competition in the group. Rachaad has brought some things in the catching and receiving phase of things. To see Bill and the guys get back into things and the young running backs get into things, I don’t know yet.
“But we’ll, for sure, be (featuring) more than just one.”
A quick stat breakdown from 2025:
Croskey-Merritt: 175 carries, 805 yards (4.6 ypc), 8 TDs; nine receptions, 68 yards
White: 132 carries, 572 yards (4.3 ypc), 4 TDs; 40 receptions, 218 yards
McNichols: 44 caries, 221 yards (5.0 ypc), 1 TD; 25 receptions, 196 yards
And that doesn’t include Allen, who could make the same type of rookie impact Croskey-Merritt made a year ago.
The Commanders have some options. Blough’s scheme will play a big part in what’s to come with a new rushing attack – expect a heavy amount of under-center zone runs – but the backs will have to do their part.
We wrote some about Croskey-Merritt’s approach to 2026, with his expectation of leveling up in his second year. Quinn shared some thoughts about his development in his last press conference of minicamp.
“From a play design (perspective) where it’s a little bit different, where it’s some stretch, cutback-type of plays, so seeing him do that and his explosiveness to go and do that is a big deal,” Quinn said. “Training with the guys and staying in that space helps, too. I do feel like there’s this elevation that’s taking place with him.
“He has always been hungry for it. You guys know that, just from his will to want to compete. Now you can see some of that take on shape though workouts, getting stronger and adding more size and strength to him. Those are things you don’t during that first year. You do it during this time.”
Quinn went on to praise Croskey-Merritt’s work in the receiving game and as a returner.
The Commanders are hoping to pair smart, capable backs with some standout offensive tackles and guard Sam Cosmi, to execute an efficient rushing game that accentuates a strong playaction passing game.
Whether they use a primary back or (more likely) a committee approach, that’s the foundational goal as Washington establishes a new offense.
