Editor’s note: We’ll be running down some key roster battles in the the leadup to Washington Commanders training camp later this month. John Portis has taken the lead on this series that will look at rookies, veterans, and free agents who are fighting for playing time in July.
Prior to the 2026 NFL Draft, there was plenty of discussion around Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love and how a premier running back could transform Washington’s offense this season. ESPN’s John Keim previously wrote “(Dan
Quinn) made it clear during meetings last season that he wanted to run the ball more, according to multiple team sources. And he discussed it after the season as well.” Love went number three overall to the Cardinals, and the Commanders would wait until the sixth round to draft a running back, selecting Penn State running back Kaytron Allen. He has looked good in offseason activities, but should be more of a complementary piece to Bill Merritt and free agent addition Rachaad White to start the season. Which is how it should be, as both backs are talented, and despite a committee approach to the backfield, could potentially end up as the team’s lead back.
Bill Merritt comes off a productive rookie campaign which saw him record 805 rushing yards, eight touchdowns, and 68 receiving yards. His burst and vision translated to the field with an impressive 4.6 yard per carry average, but Bill is looking to do more this season. The seventh-round selection is getting his form back after sitting out his senior year in college and enters his sophomore NFL season with a physique that shows he took full advantage of the offseason.
Bill has also made it known he wants to develop his abilities in the passing game. If he can improve those skills, along with his ball security, it could completely change his role this season. Nobody knows this better than Merritt, who is mining every possible source of improvement possible. Including his own teammates.
“Rachaad, he’s been a great teammate,” Croskey-Merritt said. “He’s very smooth catching the ball. So, I’m gaining knowledge from Rachaad with the receiving stuff. He’s been open arms to me, just teaching me how he does it, how he moves. So it’s been a blessing for him to come be in the backfield with me.”
Bill has selected a good source for advice as veteran Rachaad White has a long resume with over 4,000 scrimmage yards and 25 touchdowns in 4 seasons since being selected in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers. He is a versatile back who has 2,656 rushing yards & 14 rushing touchdowns, along with 1,450 receiving yards & 11 TD catches. While some criticize his vision and ability, White has averaged a respectable 4.3 yards per carry in both of his last two seasons. Rachaad enters his first season with the Washington Commanders on a one-year agreement with something to prove.
White is well aware the jury is still out on him, but he is only two years older than Merritt and wants to maximize his prime. He started offseason activities with a bang, drawing the praise of head coach Dan Quinn. In his press conference to wrap up minicamp, Quinn, unprompted, mentioned White four times: “Rachaad White was one I thought, you know, jumped out,” Quinn said when discussing eight names who impressed him during the spring. He also referenced White’s fit in the team culture and praised him for being an excellent teammate. He is already being named an underrated signing, who could fill, and possibly exceed, Austin Ekeler’s previous role. Reporters for White’s old team have noticed his early performance, and one writer believes the former Buccaneer could be capable of a 1,000 yard performance.
Both Bill and Rachaad should have productive seasons, but for the offense to reach its full potential, it needs a back that is capable as a dual threat. Blough is expected to incorporate parts of Ben Johnson’s scheme—a scheme that prioritizes explosion and versatility plus expects running backs to function as true receiving threats, used in both motion and the screen game. Will Bill Merritt or Rachaad White be that player for the Commanders’ offense in 2026?
