5 Commanders already in serious danger after 2025 offseason program

It was a fascinating offseason program for the Washington Commanders. Dan Quinn and his staff were busy putting plans into place and players through their paces. They now have plenty of food for thought in the weeks leading up to training camp.

This portion of the preparations isn't the most important part. However, it's the first chance players get to make a big impression and improve their hopes of making the team. Expectations are higher for the Commanders, so anyone who inspires confidence is going to be rewarded accordingly.

There is a flip side to this coin. Players are also fighting to stay in the team's plans. They are looking to cement their respective statuses and avoid being made surplus to requirements. This is an exciting project to be a part of, so they won't want to be cast aside and forced to seek alternative employment.

Some will avoid this precarious predicament. Others will fall by the wayside. After all, there is no room for passengers if the Commanders want to launch another bold Super Bowl bid next season.

With this in mind, here are five Commanders players already in serious danger after their offseason program.

Commanders players already in serious danger after 2025 offseason program

Foster Sarell - Commanders OT

The offensive line received some much-needed upgrades throughout a frantic second recruitment period for Adam Peters. Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly Jr. came into the fold to form a potentially prolific tackle tandem. Others will move into different spots, which also includes previous starters falling into backup roles.

It's all part of Peters' intent to raise competition. The best players will get roles, and those who get left behind won't last long. This approach represents a breath of fresh air for the Commanders after decades of decay under the previous owner.

Someone like Foster Sarell needs to do more. There was intrigue surrounding his arrival in free agency. Unfortunately for the edge protector, he looks pretty low down the pecking order based on initial impressions.

Conerly and Tunsil will start barring an unforeseen circumstance emerging. Trent Scott and Andrew Wylie will be the backup tackles. Brandon Coleman also has experience on the edge, although the Commanders need to keep him on the inside to ensure his position switch bears fruit.

That leaves Sarell on the outside looking in, but all hope is not lost just yet. If the former undrafted free agent out of Stanford makes a positive impression at training camp, he's got a slim chance to turn the tide.

Nick Bellore - Commanders LB

Nick Bellore's two-year extension this offseason was richly deserved. The aging linebacker might not have the juice to be featured on the defensive rotation these days, but he's a strong special-teams presence capable of leading from the front.

The Washington Commanders are expecting similar returns from Bellore this time around. He's not getting any younger at 36 years old, but there's a good chance he can make the roster comfortably. Even so, the team's influx of explosive young talent could be enough to keep urgency high.

Players like Jordan Magee, rookie Kain Medrano, Tyler Owens, Car'lin Vigers, Robert McDaniel, and Percy Butler have all impressed. They can also add more dynamism to the special teams group for good measure.

Again, Bellore's experience and savvy veteran know-how should be enough to see his name on the final 53-man roster when push comes to shove. But if standards slip and Father Time begins to catch up with him, others will be chomping at the bit to take his place.

Nobody will be more aware of this than Bellore. Getting a new deal was a big plus. It will count for nothing if complacency creeps in, which could quickly make the second-level presence expendable.

Kevon Seymour - Commanders CB

The Commanders have a strong cornerback room entering the 2025 campaign. They have four legitimate starting options with proven production. Adam Peters also spent his second-round pick on Trey Amos, whose early efforts indicate he can occupy a prominent spot on the depth chart immediately.

One or two spots are still open, depending on how many corners end up on Washington's roster in Week 1 against the New York Giants. Marshon Lattimore, Mike Sainristil, Jonathan Jones, Noah Igbinoghene, and Amos will all make it. That decreases the margin of error for others, so one could argue that Kevon Seymour is already playing catch-up.

Seymour is looking to get onto the squad by any means necessary. Bobby Price has the same goal. There's also momentum building around undrafted free-agent Car'lin Vigers, who's off to a good start and showcased his versatile athleticism throughout Washington's offseason program.

This lays down the gauntlet to Seymour. The former sixth-round pick has the benefit of being around the roster briefly last season, which should serve him well. But the fact others in the cornerback unit are thriving doesn't exactly bode well for his chances.

While Seymour's special-teams prowess might be his saving grace, things are still hanging precariously.

Jeremy McNichols - Commanders RB

The Washington Commanders' running back dynamic quietly shifted over the team's offseason program. This is thanks in no small part to the smooth introduction of seventh-round selection Jacory Croskey-Merritt.

Washington believes it has something special on its hands with Croskey-Merritt. The former New Mexico standout might be the No. 245 overall pick, but he's got huge plans to make a considerable impact right out of the gate. And based on his seamless transition, the rookie is well on his way to achieving this objective.

That's not going to be good news for everybody. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler are safe. That isn't the case with Jeremy McNichols, who's already fighting to stay relevant thanks to Croskey-Merritt's arrival.

McNichols got a new one-year deal this offseason. He was a solid performer when called upon last time around. He's not the most dynamic, but he's a tough runner and a solid professional.

Getting another contract from the Commanders indicates a sense of hope that more is on the way. However, McNichols needs to prove himself all over again in pursuit of making the 53-man roster.

This is dependent on how many running backs the Commanders take through. If it's three, then he might be out of luck. If it's four, McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. will fight it out for the final position in this scenario.

Michael Gallup - Commanders WR

There were opportunities for those in the wide receiver room over Washington's offseason program. This was especially evident at the Commanders' mandatory minicamp, with three established veterans missing time.

Terry McLaurin is holding out, awaiting a lucrative new deal that hasn't arrived as yet. Noah Brown was carted off, but John Keim from ESPN doesn't believe the issue is serious. Michael Gallup's hamstring strain also prevented him from participating, which represented a body blow to his chances of making the 53-man roster.

Gallup unretired this offseason, and the Commanders are giving him a chance to galvanize his career after one year away from the gridiron. His spot isn't guaranteed by any stretch of the imagination, so not being able to leave a real early mark only casts further doubt on his aspirations.

This was a big concern around Gallup before his retirement. Injuries became an ongoing frustration. The fact that these problems are creeping up so soon into his comeback is disappointing.

Couple this with other receivers making their presence felt, and Gallup faces an uphill task when training camp rolls around. He's got the talent, but the need to hit the ground running and force his way into the team's plans cannot be overstated.

More Commanders news and analysis