ASHBURN, VA – June 11: Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn gets his players started on a team drill during day two of mini camp in Ashburn, VA on June 11, 2025. (Photo by John McDonnell/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
(This story will be updated with interviews from players)
Welcome to the 2026 NFL season.
The Washington Commanders (1-0) started the exhibition portion of the campaign with a 20-7 win against the Miami Dolphins (0-1).
The prevailing theory through out the first part of training camp is that this year’s roster is more talented than the past two seasons, that many players cut in three weeks are NFL roster caliber players. That thinking was partially validated by the play of several players projected as valuable backups this year.
Miami scored on the first possession, a 14 play, 93 yard drive that ended with a one yard De’von Achane touchdown run. That drive will be graded on a curve by the coaching staff as Miami played its starters against backups and rookies for Washington.
Once the Dolphins pulled their starters, Washington took control.
Rookie running backs Kaytron Allen and and Robert Henry Jr. both had strong outings.
Trailing 7-3 late in the second quarter, Henry Jr. broke free on a 22 yard run over the right side of the line to score his first NFL touchdown to put Washington into the lead 10-7.
After holding Miami’s offense to a three and out series, it was Allen’s turn. The rookie from Penn State touched the ball on six of the 11 plays on the ensuing drive, capped by a one yard touchdown run to stretch the lead to 17-7 at halftime.
Henry Jr. finished the game with 12 rushes for 78 yards. Allen rushed for 85 yards on 23 carries. Both scored and both proved capable of getting tough yards on important plays.
On the defensive side of the ball, projected starter and first round draft pick Sonny Stiles started the game and played one series, recording 3 tackles including one solo.
A number of back ups and players fighting for roster spots played well, making roster decisions that much harder.
Linebacker Ale Kaho and safeties Quan Martin and Malik Spencer each had interceptions. Martin picked off Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers in the first half and Kaho and Spencer got to Cam Miller inthe second half.
Perhaps the biggest surprise for Washington was quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. The rookie from Rutgers has been quiet in training camp but displayed a live arm, good decision making and poise, out playing incumbent third string QB Sam Hartman.
Kaliakmanis completed 6 of 10 passes for 87 yards and finished the game with a quarterback rating of 88.3. Hardly elite, but almost double Hartman’s number.
Bob Matthews is a 33 year veteran broadcast journalist, spending the last 29 years of his career in Virginia. Bob has covered both news and sports stories and for the last three seasons, the Washington Commanders. He looks forward to continuing to provide coverage to Sportsjourney.com both on the website and through his podcast, The Bob Matthews Show.
Leave a Reply