The end of training camp is always bittersweet, and the Washington Commanders' final practice Thursday was no different.

On one hand, the excitement for the regular season builds as the six-month wait for Week 1 kickoff comes to a close. On the other hand, it marks the last time that this specific group of 90 players will take the practice field as Washington Commanders ever again.

With training camp officially wrapped up, Saturday's third and final preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens will be the last chance for players on the bubble to prove they deserve a spot on Washington's final 53-man roster. Head coach Dan Quinn made it clear that there are still a number of position battles in play -- namely amongst the tight end, running back and safety groups.

"This time of year can be most challenging for the players that see themselves on the roster bubble or the practice squad bubble, and you just try and encourage them and try not to count," Quinn said during his opening Wednesday morning press conference. "Best foot forward, like what's your best look like, and I've seen a lot of that from guys at practice."

Although it appears that position battles are fought within the Commanders' locker room, the competition for roster spots spreads beyond Ashburn, Virginia. Through preseason plays on film, joint practices and media coverage, players are also getting looks from across the league. While more eyes mean more opportunities, it also signifies broader, more intense competition.

"It's not just here that everybody is competing against, it's around the National Football League and scouting and looking at guys." Quinn said. "So when you're in the building, you don't think of it that way, you're just looking at this practice and these people, but that's why I referred to not counting because it's not just this room that you're counting; it's a standard, it's a way and how you play and so I think that's really important. The best of the best, from a player standpoint know that, and so you've got to produce all the time."

Quinn believes that the best thing for players is to focus on their game and what they can put on film rather than concerning themselves with the math to determine where they fit onto Washington's roster.

"This time of year, man, it does get heated in that space but that's my messaging; to make sure they don't get into the counting business," Quinn continued. "Whatever your best looks like, we talked about it early, just that competition of going for it with one another and supporting each other, and I've liked what I've seen from that side. But it's a real thing; it's a real emotion. They want it badly, to make it, and they know that this is a team they want to be a part of, so I want to make sure they stay in that pocket of doing right."

Staying away from the counting game can be especially difficult for undrafted free agents whose professional football dreams are on the line. Last season, according to Bleacher Report, just 43 undrafted rookies made it through the final preseason cut and onto active rosters, which doesn't include those signed to the practice squad. Washington ultimately added two of its 11 UDFAs to the final roster last season in safety Tyler Owens and Colson Yankoff.

Whether they end up on the roster or not, the UDFAs that linebacker Bobby Wagner has played alongside on the defensive side of the ball have shown continued improvement throughout camp.

"I think the growth from the first game to now, I mean, that first game, you don't know what to expect," Wagner said. "Especially that team [New England Patriots], they had a new offensive coordinator, so there wasn't really much film for them to watch. Even like trying to learn how to study film the first time was different. So, I think as the weeks have gone, and they would watch film and things like that, they've grown at making open field tackles and things like that, it's been good."

Wagner also echoed Quinn's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of using what players have learned in training camp and throughout the preseason to boost their football resume.

"It's a part of the business," Wagner said of losing guys to roster cuts. "You've got to understand that there's 31 other teams looking at you, so even if you don't make this team, your resume of what you've done when you've been here speaks loudly so taking that into context, it's just go out there, put your best foot forward, see what happens. Whether it's this team or somewhere else, if you're good, they'll find you."

Veteran tight end Zach Ertz has experienced his fair share of roster cut days throughout his 12-year career in the NFL. While it can be a stressful and emotional time for players facing uncertainty, Ertz encourages them to be present on the field to create great tape rather than focus on the business side of the game.

"Go out there and play free, don't worry about kind of what's coming," Ertz said following Thursday's practice. "Everybody understands it's the business of this league but if you focus on that then you're not present in the moment. So go out there, put your best foot forward on film that you can be proud of, film that every team is going to be watching in the league, whether it's this team or 31 others. Just go out there and play your hearts out, that's the message for everyone."

As the packed sideline narrows by 37 players and battles in position groups are won, the Commanders' focus shifts to Week 1 preparation for their first divisional game of the season against the New York Giants.