Khaleke Hudson could compete for starting role with Commanders

Washington Commanders’ insider for ESPN John Keim says that linebacker Khaleke Hudson could catch some people by surprise in 2023 and that he could even compete for a starting role on the team’s defense this season.

Taken in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Michigan, Khaleke Hudson has been a special team contributor for his first three seasons in the NFL. However, 2023 may be when he breaks out.

“Hudson, a backup/special-teamer in his first three seasons, worked with the starters during the spring in part because Jamin Davis was recovering from offseason knee surgery and free agent signee Cody Barton was working with the backups as he learned the defense,” Keim wrote. “Hudson impressed the coaches, however, building on a successful start in the regular-season finale.”

Circumstances have given Khaleke Hudson an opportunity to impress the coaches in Washington and he’s taken advantage of that opportunity. So, he should make a push to be a starter at linebacker this season.

“He played fast this spring — as he did in the finale against Dallas. While Washington entered the offseason wanting to improve its linebacker depth, Hudson’s one-game performance, as well as this spring, put that quest on hold.”

Khaleke Hudson has started four games in three seasons for Washington, playing in a total of 41 games. Unfortunately, for Hudson, he is undersized for an NFL linebacker. In that time, Hudson has 34 total tackles and two tackles for loss.

Washington OC Eric Bieniemy on having success in his offense

Washington brought in a new offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, from the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason. There, he found tons of success but was not able to advance beyond the offensive coordinator role.

Now Bieniemy has explained that the key to having success in his offense is going to be to have a sense of urgency. If Washington can have that, then the team should have success under him.

“The thing I always stress is that I want us to have a sense of urgency and sense of purpose,” Bieniemy told reporters. “Getting out of the huddle is probably the most important thing because you’re setting a tone to the defense. I’m always critical of that. Then I want us to execute our jobs with greater attention to detail.”