Jeremy Reaves has found ways to stick around the Washington Commanders since he first signed with the team in 2018 thanks to his work ethic, determination and availability. Reaves found out this week that he's going to stick around for a little while longer.
On Wednesday, it was reported that Reaves and the Commanders had agreed on a one-year extension that would keep him with the Burgundy & Gold through the 2026 season. They made the deal official on Thursday, ensuring the special teams ace would remain an integral part of the team's culture.
"I'm just filled with gratitude, man," Reaves told reporters after Wednesday's minicamp practice. "I was just talking to some of the young guys and telling them if you take anything from me, just understand that the turtle does win the race."
Reaves, a 2018 undrafted free agent who originally signed with the Philadelphia Eagles before joining Washington's practice squad later that year, has become a fixture of the Commanders' roster after years of waiting for his opportunity. He spent four seasons going through a cycle of being released, added to the practice squad and elevated to the active roster before finally making roster cuts ahead of the 2022 season.
Reaves went on to become one of the best special teams players in the league. He finished the 2022 season with a career-high 33 tackles, 17 of which came as a special teams player. He finished second in the league in terms of special teams tackles and was selected to the Pro Bowl on top of getting First Team All-Pro consideration from the Associated Press and NFLPA.
Reaves had another solid campaign in his first season playing under head coach Dan Quinn, recording 20 tackles and a forced fumble. When asked about the extension, Quinn started by saying, "That honestly makes me smile."
"This is a true Commander, one of our heavy hitters and an absolute all around BMF, in every way," Quinn added. "It's no surprise he was elected one of the captains when the postseason began but he affects all sides of the ball."
Reaves said the contract talks with the Commanders' front office had been going on "for a while." The team made it clear that it wanted to keep him around, and Reaves made it clear he felt the same. "This is my home," Reaves said, which echoes the sentiment he had when the Commanders initially signed him last offseason. The fan base has embraced Reaves for his attitude and approach to the game, and he likes the path the team is on with Quinn and general manager Adam Petter leading the franchise.
So, when talks started to ramp up, Reaves told his agent, "Let's go."
"They see enough in me, and they value me enough to want to do something," Reaves said.
Check out the top photos of the Washington Commanders going through the first day of mandatory minicamp.
Reaves has set new goals for himself heading into his eighth season with the franchise. He wants to be an All-Pro and Pro Bowler again and earn more reps on defense -- something defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. has also expressed a desire to get done.
More importantly, though, Reaves wants to make sure he can still have fun on the field.
"I think of when I first got here and everything that I went through, all the tough days I went through," Reaves said. "I got a chance to talk to AP [Peters] and DQ [Quinn] before practice and just tell them, 'Man, it's nice to just be wanted and feel like what I do matters.'"
Click here to secure your tickets to the Commanders' 2025 season.
