Commanders’ biggest bombshell surprise from 2026 NFL training camp

It’s a tough time for the Washington Commanders because of a key offensive injury. They may have to lean more on their defense in 2026. Helping matters, here is the Commanders’ biggest bombshell surprise from training camp.

The Commanders have made a lot of changes on the defensive side of the football. They signed key free agent edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson. They also drafted linebacker Sonny Styles with their first-round pick.

But a later draft pick has also made a lot of summer noise.

Commanders EDGE Joshua Josephs turning heads

The Commanders are hoping they got a steal by grabbing Josephs in the fifth round of this year’s draft.

He said he enters his rookie season with a specific mindset, according to Raising Hail with the Rookies via commanders.com.

“It’s just [about] always having that mindset no matter what,” Josephs told Bryan Colbert Jr. on the most recent episode of “Raising Hail with the Rookies.” “No matter what feat you accomplish, you’ve always got something to prove. You’ve always gotta be hungry.”

Josephs said he wants to be used in different ways by the Commanders’ defensive coaches.

“They know I’m an athlete,” Josephs said. “I have the ability to cover. I was doing it in college. (And) I was doing it in high school. I’ve been doing this thing my whole life. I’ve been able to cover in space. They also know about my pass rushing ability [and] my pass rushing bag, and I feel like I’ve got a good bag. They feel like I’ve got a good bag. I feel like I gotta show I’m a dominant pass rusher and I’m able to cover in space.”

And the results have been obvious at times, according to a post on X by Zach Selby.

“Joshua Josephs is having an impressive day so far. He had a batted pass earlier in team drills and showed off his speed against Wylie in 1-on-1s”

Physical aspects help Joshua Josephs’ adjustment to the NFL

One of the things the Commanders liked about Joseph was his physical attributes. Take a look at this number, according to a post on X by Mitchell Tischler.

“84 wingspan is enormous. Josephs is 3-4 edge and played split standup/hand in the dirt at Tennessee”

Josephs is trying to get up to speed with Daronte Jones’ playbook, according to a post on X by Denton Day.

“Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it’s a little challenging,” said Josephs of learning Washington’s defense. “I just gotta stay in my playbook. Really, it’s a blessing — all the packages that I’m in, and everything that Coach DJ (Daronte Jones) is doing. I believe he knows what he’s doing. I believe our defense is going to be really lethal this season.”

Commanders defense needs to improve in this area

Overall, they will have to work together to get the defensive edge pressure they need to be more competitive, according to wjla.com.

“You got to have your eyes right,” safety Nick Cross said. “Reading your keys, communication’s on point. You’ve got a lot of talented playmakers on offense. At the end of the day, it’s crucial that we go out there and we’re on our details, on our keys, make sure your eyes are in the right spot.

“They move this person, move that person, run someone across the field, and it’s to create confusion. You’ve got to make sure you’re on your keys, on your details, study your notes and go out there and play.”

Those are other areas Josephs will have to excel in if he wants to get more snaps, and meaningful ones, in 2026.

The Commanders should be much stronger at getting to the quarterback in 2026. Josephs’ quick development will add to that punch. And it’s not a matter of just sacks. Those are nice, but the Commanders need way more consistent pressure this season.

With a good rotation at the edge rusher spots, this will be possible. Along with Oweh, Chaisson, and Josephs, the Commanders have other potentially good players. Dorance Armstrong and Javontae Jean-Baptiste are in the mix as the preseason plays out.

Another thing that will help the pass rush is if the Commanders can stop the run. That will make passing situations more frequent, and even better, more obvious.