Washington wrapped up the preseason at 0–3, and some fans are already panicking. I’m not one of them. Preseason records don’t matter, and if anything, this August showed us more about the state of the roster and where Adam Peters and Dan Quinn are steering the ship. Here are my main takeaways:
1. Going Winless in the Preseason Doesn’t Mean Anything
I used to think nothing was more worthless than grading draft classes the day after the draft. Turns out, I was wrong. CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan somehow found an even bigger waste of time: giving NFL teams preseason grades.
Jayden Daniels and the starters barely playing wasn’t the flaw — it was the plan. Dan Quinn didn’t need August to figure out his first-string guys; he already knows what he’s got. This preseason was about evaluating the backups.
Last year was different. In Quinn’s first season, he leaned more on his starters because he and Adam Peters didn’t know what they had. They needed live reps because everyone was learning a new offensive and defensive system. They needed to establish a baseline — who could run the scheme, who fit the culture, who could be building blocks. That was part of the evaluation phase of a brand-new regime.
This year is about something else entirely. Quinn and Peters already know their starters are legit. The mission in August 2025 was to stress-test the depth pieces: young draft picks, fringe roster guys, and veterans fighting for spots. That’s why the win–loss record doesn’t matter. The preseason was essentially an extended job interview for the second and third units, not a dress rehearsal for the first team. I can’t wait for Tyler’s next article where he hands out grades for walkthroughs.
2. Depth Is Still A Work In Progress
When the starters did get a few series, they looked fine. The real issue showed up once the second- and third-stringers took over. Case in point: the Ravens’ backups dismantled ours 30–3, which CBS Sports’ Captain Obvious pointed out. No kidding Tyler.
It’s hard to build depth when Peters inherited one of the thinnest rosters in the league. That’s not an indictment of Peters or Quinn — it’s a reality check on how far the depth still has to go. In fact, out of 31 players Rivera drafted from 2020–2023, only six are still on the roster — and just two of them (Sam Cosmi and Quan Martin) are starters.
It takes more than a couple offseasons to build up depth when you’re digging out of the Ron Rivera crater. Peters inherited a massive rebuild, and while he’s turned the roster over quickly, catching up to a team like Baltimore — with a 20-year head start on player development — doesn’t happen overnight.
And yes, the Ravens’ backups steamrolling ours is exactly the kind of thing that got Washington slapped with a C-. If that’s the bar for national coverage, then CBS should just let the interns handle writing the articles.
3. The Brian Robinson Jr. Trade Makes Sense
Plenty of fans hated moving on from Brian Robinson Jr., who had served as the feature back for three seasons. But in Peters and Quinn, I trust. The staff reportedly viewed B-Rob’s running style as too hesitant or indecisive in key moments — not the downhill, explosive runner they’re looking for.
One consistent theme in Peters’ acquisitions has been high-end athleticism. Robinson didn’t fit that mold — especially when compared to newly acquired backs with higher Relative Athletic Scores (RAS). Robinson’s RAS stood at 6.61, while Jeremy McNichols posted an 8.39, Bill Croskey-Merritt came in at 8.29, and the Rivera-era pick Chris Rodriguez had a 7.71.
Digging deeper: Robinson’s efficiency metrics support the move, too. Over his three seasons in Washington, he averaged 4.1 yards per carry — ranked 40th among running backs since his entry into the league. He also ranked 29th in yards after contact, and just 86th in runs that gained 10+ yards.
Put simply: his production didn’t match what Peters and Quinn are building toward. For a front office explicitly chasing athletic upside and explosive potential, that gap matters.
4. Don’t Give Up on Luke McCaffrey Yet
Another hot topic: Luke McCaffrey. Some fans are already calling him a bust. I think it’s way too early. Remember — he only transitioned to wide receiver in college. He’s still learning the position, and Peters/Quinn are showing patience for a reason.
Evaluating Luke has been almost impossible given the quarterback play around him. Against the Bengals, he was criticized for posting zero catches, but the tape shows he was wide open on two go routes where Josh Johnson never looked his way. Those are potentially huge plays that don’t show up in a box score — and if even one of them connects, suddenly the talk is about Luke’s breakout potential instead of labeling him a bust.
Then in the preseason finale against the Ravens, McCaffrey finally saw some touches, but Sam Hartman did him no favors. Many of Hartman’s completions were behind the line of scrimmage, forcing receivers to catch flat-footed with no chance for yards after the catch — and a lot of those throws went Luke’s way. The box score shows receptions, but none of them came in stride, and none reflected what he can do as a route-runner downfield.
Could Luke end up a bust? Sure. But until he gets a fair shot with competent quarterback play, nobody can say for sure.
5. Terry McLaurin Extension Gets Done
Finally! Terry McLaurin and the front office agree to terms on a new extension. This was a massive relief heading into the season. The deal: three years, up to $96 million, including a $30 million signing bonus — that’s a $32 million per-year average, putting McLaurin among the league’s elite (tied for 6th-highest paid WR).
McLaurin has earned every cent: last season he piled up 82 catches, 1,096 yards, and a franchise-record 13 touchdowns, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. What’s even better? Peters negotiated it without capitulating — a sign of budget discipline and respect for the hierarchy. Win-win for both sides.
Final Thought
Preseason is for evaluation, not pointless grades. Peters and Quinn know what they have and they’re building the kind of roster Washington hasn’t had in decades. With Terry’s extension signed and Jayden Daniels ready to debut, the real season starts now.
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