Losing 34-27 to the Atlanta Falcons on the road in Week 4, left Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn looking for silver linings, and he found one in the form of a “fearless” playmaker who offered a productive alternative to All-Pro Deebo Samuel at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Quinn singled out Luke McCaffrey, because the second-year wide receiver “has a fearless eye to him as a returner,” per Commanders.com Senior Writer Zach Selby.
The latter detailed why McCaffrey merited his coach’s praise after he “recorded 199 kickoff return yards in yesterday’s game — the most by any NFL player in 2025 and the most by any NFL player since Deebo Samuel Sr. (208) in Week 13 of the 2024 season. His 199 kickoff return yards were the most by a Washington player in a single game since Brandon Banks (213) in Week 8 of the 2010 season.”
The reference to Samuel is key because the Commanders had been having success deploying the former San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowler in the return game. Yet, Samuel “took on more offensive snaps” with Terry McLaurin out injured, according to Selby, who also pointed out the changeup didn’t hamper a Commanders return game “at the top of the league in average kickoff return yardage (33.7) and sixth in total yards (506).
Those numbers owe a lot to McCaffrey’s efforts, but he’ll be just as happy about catching a touchdown pass for the second-straight game.
Commanders Finding Ways to Unleash Luke McCaffrey
Finding ways to get McCaffrey involved is no longer proving a problem for the Commanders. The 100th player taken in the 2024 NFL draft made just four starts and got a mere 24 targets as a rookie, per Pro Football Reference, but McCaffrey is justifying breakout talk by feasting in the passing game, particularly in the scoring department.
One game after snagging his first pro touchdown, against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3, McCaffrey got open at the back of the end zone in Atlanta to double his tally.
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These scores are timely because the Commanders need a viable third receiver to emerge in support of a healthy McLaurin and reinvigorated Samuel. McCaffrey has the tools, but his biggest value still remains in another area.
Giving the 24-year-old increased work on special teams has been also been key to unlocking the potential of the former Rice star who converted from quarterback to wideout. McCaffrey’s assignment as a returner has rewarded the Commanders with plays like this 58-yard kickoff return against the Falcons.
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McCaffrey’s growing aptitude as a source of big plays in football’s third phase isn’t just helping his own cause. It’s also keeping Samuel fresher for more reps in his primary role as a dual-threat skill-player on offense, where he can cover injuries and help a remade backfield tick.
Commanders Need More Focused Role for Deebo Samuel
The Commanders had been content to use the wideout and sometimes running back in the return game through the first three games. Samuel had some success as a returner, notably when he ripped off a 69-yard kick return against the Raiders, with McCaffrey leading the way, per NFL Films.
While he was making an impact handling kicks, Samuel’s focus has to be on expanding Washington’s offense. It’s become a priority with McLaurin nursing a quad problem that leaves his status a weekly judgement call.
Quinn will be anxious about McLaurin, but he can take comfort from how Samuel responded to getting 49 snaps on offense in Atlanta, per Washington Commanders Public Relations. He turned those reps into six catches, 72 yards and a touchdown.
Samuel will need to take a leading role among the team’s receivers, but his task will be made easier if McCaffrey can balance returner’s chores with extended playing time as a pass-catcher.
Commanders HC Praises ‘Fearless’ Alternative to Deebo Samuel