With the new collective bargaining agreement limiting practices with pads on, NFL teams relish the days they get to hit. For the Washington Commanders, it may be time to take a break.
The Commanders conducted its third padded practice and fifth straight on Friday. The extra physicality led to tempers flaring throughout the day. At one point, star wide receiver Terry McLaurin had some choice words for cornerback Benjamin St-Juste; center Nick Gates spiked a football at defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis; and later, Mathis exchanged punches with guard Sam Cosmi.
“To be honest with you, I’d have been disappointed if it wasn’t chippy,” Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. But, Rivera added, the team has to keep its poise.
The Commanders’ defense led the day, by all accounts. Leading the verbal banter was defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Tension boiled over when Mathis jumped offsides, leading to Gates throwing the football at him.
Later in practice, St-Juste broke up a pass intended for tight end Cole Turner before standing over Turner. That incited Mclaurin to charge in to get in the face of St-Juste, demanding him to “help your teammate!” according to Pete Hailey of NBC Sports Washington.
After practice, Rivera addressed McLaurin’s frustration.
“Chase [Young] said it best when Terry starts talking, you know it’s serious,” Rivera said, per ESPN’s John Keim. “Terry is right. This is about your teammates.”
At last, Cosmi and Mathis threw punches at each other. At one point, Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy told the offense to stop — but not that nicely.
“I mean, we work hard, do our stuff, but at the same time we’re not going to take any crap from anyone,” Cosmi said in defense of the offense’s temper, per Jhabvala.
Teammates getting chippy at each other in training camp is expected, as Rivera said. In order to play at the NFL level, players must channel an aggressive side more than the average individual. Players are fighting for their professional careers and battling against the same people daily they’re bound to have some tension.
Eventually, the Commanders will get to hit someone other than a teammate. Washington’s preseason starts Aug. 11 against the Cleveland Browns. Then, the Commanders will have joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 15 and 16 ahead of their preseason game on Aug. 21 at FedEx Field.
