Commanders Bring in Undrafted Australian Punter Oscar Chapman for a Tryout

he Washington Commanders have had a hectic start to the 2025 campaign. While they were without star quarterback Jayden Daniels in Week 3, the Commanders have managed to pick up wins in two of their first three games, and it looks like their magical run to the 2024 NFC Championship Game last year was not a fluke.

However, there is room for improvement in Washington, and the front office is continually looking for ways to improve its roster. On Thursday, that led the Commanders to bring in undrafted Australian punter Oscar Chapman for a tryout, even though the team already has a Pro Bowl-caliber punter, Tress Way, at their disposal.

Commanders Bring in Punter Oscar Chapman for a Tryout

You can never be too thorough in the NFL, and the Commanders are illustrating that by taking a look at another punter, despite having Way at their disposal. A two-time Pro Bowler who also earned a spot on the All-Pro Second Team in 2019, Way has spent his entire 12-year career with Washington, and he remains one of the top players at his position in the league.

If something happens to Way, though, Washington doesn’t have anyone on the depth chart who could come and fill in for him. That led to the team checking out Chapman, a former punter for the Auburn Tigers in college who is looking for his start in the NFL. Chapman didn’t get selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, and while he spent time with the Minnesota Vikings over the summer, he ended up getting released in August.

Since then, Chapman has been waiting for his next opportunity, and he ended up getting a unique shot to show what he’s capable of for the Commanders. The team brought him in for a tryout

“Commanders tried out punter Oscar Chapman,” Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reported in a post on X.

Commanders Looking to Earn Second Straight Win in Week 4

Chapman’s tryout is an interesting side note, but the Commanders’ main focus right now is on finding a way to continue their winning ways. While they looked solid against the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, their Week 2 defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers showed that they still have a lot of work to do if they intend on making a Super Bowl run this season.

That starts with winning in Week 4, where Washington will face the Atlanta Falcons. Daniels’ injury status is obviously worth keeping tabs on, but even if he doesn’t play, the Commanders should have a shot to pick up a victory in this game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and considering how the Falcons are fresh off a 30-0 defeat at the hands of the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, it’s safe to say they will be just as motivated as the Commanders to win this game.

Pete Carroll Calls Out NFL Scheduling After Raiders’ Week 3 Disadvantage

Pete Carroll Criticizes NFL’s Scheduling Disadvantage for Raiders in Week 3

Pete Carroll expressed frustration over the Las Vegas Raiders’ scheduling disadvantage

in Week 3 ahead of their game against the Washington Commanders. The Raiders, who played in Monday Night Football, were forced to prepare on a shortened week, while the

Commanders enjoyed a significant rest advantage after playing on Thursday Night Football.

In an interview with JT the Brick, Carroll stated, “The fact that we were that far behind their prep, I was trying to catch it up, and it didn’t manufacture to what we needed. I’m disappointed that that was the way we went.” Carroll further highlighted how rare and difficult it is to win when a team is at such a severe scheduling disadvantage.

The Seahawks' coach pointed out that the NFL needs to reassess its scheduling practices, as the gap between teams’ rest periods can severely impact competitive fairness. Carroll stressed that the

Raiders’ lack of rest ultimately hurt their performance in the game, adding that such situations are rare but critical to avoid.

With a full week of rest, the Raiders

are now preparing to face the Chicago Bears in Week 4, with hopes that they can play at full strength.

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