When the Washington Commanders re-signed kicker Jake Moody to a one-year deal back in March, the fan reaction was clear: it wasn't enough. Not because Moody isn't talented, but because his six-game audition last season simply didn't feel like a definitive win. He hit 10 of 11 field goals with a long of 56 yards—solid numbers, but not the kind that silence doubters.

For years, Washington has been stuck in a revolving door at kicker. Fans have every right to feel anxious about consistency, especially after watching rivals like the Cowboys strike gold with Brandon Aubrey, a former soccer star turned NFL weapon and the highest-paid kicker in league history. It's the kind of stability that wins championships, and Washington wants in on that action.

So when the 2026 NFL Draft came and went without the Commanders selecting a kicker on Day 3, the groans were audible. But general manager Adam Peters had a different plan. He invited Iowa's Drew Stevens—a four-time All-Big Ten standout—to this weekend's rookie minicamp for a tryout. Once it became clear other teams were sniffing around, Washington locked him up with a contract.

Now the question is: Is Stevens here just to push Moody, or is he a legitimate threat to take the job? Head coach Dan Quinn didn't mince words.

"Yes, at a number of spots," Quinn said when asked if Stevens was brought in to create competition. "It's one of the things I love, just promoting that type of competition. There'll be a number of positions we'll talk about in the months ahead. I honestly feel like that's how we get the best out of one another. Whether we're talking about kicker or center or different spots along the way, we just keep battling for it, and we will see it all the way through."

That's the kind of mindset that builds a roster. Competition breeds excellence, and for a team desperate to find its long-term answer at kicker, this open battle is exactly what the doctor ordered. Whether Moody rises to the occasion or Stevens steals the spotlight, one thing is certain: the Commanders are done settling.