The Washington Commanders agreed to terms with linebacker Cody Barton on the first day of the legal tampering period this spring. Washington signed Barton to a modest one-year deal worth $3.5 million.
The Commanders had signed Barton to play Mike linebacker, with last year’s starter, Cole Holcomb, still in play to return. However, once Barton landed with Washington, Holcomb agreed to a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Mike linebacker position was Barton’s to lose in 2023.
While Barton learned the offense in the spring, he now looks completely comfortable through the first week of training camp.
Barton has been active in training camp thus far, particularly when the pads came on this week. Barton stood out, stuffing running lanes behind Washington’s vaunted defensive line. Barton has looked confident and fast thus far.
Barton has also looked comfortable in coverage.
Jacoby Brissett picked off by Cody Barton #HTTC pic.twitter.com/RvOYFvbGD3
— Mason Kinnahan (@Mason_Kinnahan) July 28, 2023
In a recent appearance on “The Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast, former Washington tight end and longtime analyst Rick “Doc” Walker joined to offer his observations on training camp after one week.
Sheehan asked about specific players, including Barton.
“Love him,” Walker said.
“Cody is the kind of guy that’s on all really good teams. He’s not a combine guy, but as soon as you put the pads on today, he stands out like a sore thumb. He’s a contact freak. He’s athletic enough and got size. He’s going to be a terror. He’s a terror.”
Jamin Davis entered the 2023 season as the only “sure thing” at linebacker. And the third-year former first-round pick is far from a sure thing. Sure, he improved last season, but the coaching staff wants more from Davis. Davis had a procedure this offseason, leading him to miss OTAs, which left him a bit behind entering training camp.
Davis is also dealing with a legal issue involving a reckless driving concision, opening the door for Barton and Khaleke Hudson to impress.
Ultimately, Washington would love for Barton and Davis to start, with Hudson serving as the third linebacker in 2023.
Head coach Ron Rivera and defensive linebacker Jack Del Rio, former NFL starting linebackers, have often been criticized for what fans felt like ignoring the linebacker position.
Have they finally found their guy in Barton? We won’t know until the games begin, but the early signs are encouraging.
