During the 2025 offseason, Ed McCaffrey spoke proudly about his youngest son, Luke McCaffrey. “He’s hungry, man. Hungry to get on the field, hungry to compete… I can already see the difference from last year. And he’s very confident,” he told Escapist Magazine back in July. Clearly, that growth has put Luke on a path that’s starting to turn heads.

Luke and his brother Christian McCaffrey are both following in their father’s footsteps, but Luke’s journey is unique. Unlike his NFL brother, he switched from QB to WR, a bold move that forced him to adapt and grow. His progress was on full display in the Commanders ’ Week 3 game against the Raiders, and this time, even his dad couldn’t hide the excitement.

On Instagram, Ed celebrated Luke’s recent milestone while giving a nod to a teammate who helped make it possible. “Congrats to Commanders on the big win today and to @luke-mccaffrey. For his first NFL touchdown!!! Thank You @terry-25 for grabbing the football, haha #RaiseHail,” he wrote. Indeed, McLaurin’s alert play on the field allowed Luke to secure his first touchdown, turning a great throw into a milestone moment.

Amazingly, Luke hauled in a 43-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, finishing with 56 receiving yards and three targets, tied for second on the team. With McLaurin leaving the game due to a quad injury, Luke’s presence became even more crucial.

McCaffrey’s rise hasn’t been accidental. Drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he spent his rookie season learning the ropes and adjusting to the wide receiver position.

Even Ed praised his preparation and focus. “You don’t call the play, and you can’t throw yourself the ball, so you have to stay ready for when you get that opportunity. I was proud of Luke for doing that all year long,” he explained. He also noted that learning all 5 receiver positions last year showed the coaching staff’s trust and that teammates like Deebo Samuel created a supportive environment.

In one of his interviews, Ed added that the offseason transformed Luke. “Physically stronger, mentally sharper, and fully dialed into the NFL grind,” he said. Thus, combine that preparation with mentorship from McLaurin, and Luke’s recent accomplishment feels like the natural result of persistence and opportunity.

Luke’s milestone came as the team also faced a challenge. McLaurin is leaving with an injury.

Commanders prove their depth after Terry McLaurin’s injury

Losing McLaurin midgame could have rattled the Commanders, but the roster responded. Marcus Mariota, filling in for Jayden Daniels, completed 15 of 21 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown, adding 40 rushing yards. He managed the game efficiently and kept the offense moving.

The run game also carried its weight. Washington rushed for 201 yards on 32 carries, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt. Jeremy McNichols broke free for a 60-yard touchdown. It marked the longest run by a Commanders back since 2019,  finishing with 78 yards on 4 carries.

Special teams delivered highlights as well. Rookie Jaylin Lane returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown, tying a franchise record and marking the first punt return TD since 2016. Deebo Samuel added a 69-yard kickoff return, flipping the field position and energizing the team.

The defense applied constant pressure. Bobby Wagner recorded two sacks, while Von Miller, Dorance Armstrong, and Javontae Jean-Baptiste each added one. In total, Washington sacked Geno Smith five times, keeping the Raiders off balance.

By the final whistle, Washington had scored 41 points,  more than in their first two games combined. They did it without McLaurin, Daniels, Noah Brown, John Bates, and Brandon Coleman, proving that depth and resilience run deep.