FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Early in his second training camp, Casey Washington was presented with an opportunity.
Darnell Mooney injured his shoulder diving for a deep pass on the first day of training camp, and his temporary absence created an opening in the starting lineup. It didn't take long for Washington to fill it, and he quickly found his stride.
"In Mooney's absence, he's done a great job," Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said. "He's continuing to ascend, and we're excited about Casey and what he can bring this season."
A sixth-round pick out of the University of Illinois, Washington appeared in eight games for the Falcons as a rookie thanks to his special teams ability, but he missed multiple games late in the year due to a concussion. Still, Washington caught the first pass of Michael Penix Jr.'s NFL career — a 14-yard completion against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7 — and spent much of the year working with the Falcons' current starter.
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Washington and Penix gained valuable reps each week in practice while working against Atlanta's first-team defense. Those hours together helped the pair develop an early connection as they acclimated to the professional game.
"We went out there and competed every day," Washington said. "The plays that we made, and the chemistry that we made on the scout team, I think it's carried over a little bit."
It also benefited Washington upon his ascent to the starting lineup. Although the role was new, the quarterback was familiar. A year together meant Penix already knew the nuances of the man replacing Mooney, and Washington knew what the second-year passer expected of him.
The result: plenty of camp fireworks.
"He's been showing it each and every day, and he's been the same guy since he's been here," Penix said. "He's a guy that's going run routes extremely hard, fast, and he's going to catch any ball that comes in his vicinity. My job is to continue to elevate him and make sure I give him the opportunities that he deserves from the work that he put in."
Washington's work ethic was apparent early during the 2024 season. The repetitive thrumming of the jugs machine announced the rookie's post-practice routine of catching extra passes was underway, and he would oftentimes spend upwards of 30 minutes catching balls from close range.
That was one of the most visible examples of Washington's desire to improve, but there are others.
"Casey was one of the guys that was always like, 'Hey, Mike, can we do a walk through before practice?'" Penix said. "We would get installs the night before last year in OTAs, and he'll text me, 'Hey, can we go do a walk through at the top of the parking lot?' And we would be like, 'Alright, let's do it.' He always wanted to get better."
Success as a young player in a highly competitive environment requires a growth mindset and an appetite for extra work. Washington was not a highly touted prospect upon arriving at Illinois, and he didn't become a full-time starter until his final season. Nevertheless, he earned a spot in the NFL and has continued to impress his teammates and coaches.
"I've always wanted to be the best," Washington said. "Whether it was, you know, middle school pop wonder in my whole life, I've always wanted to be the best."
After a whirlwind rookie season, things are beginning to slow down for Washington. The second time around, there's less thinking and more doing. There's a familiar rhythm about the days and a sense of comfort in a building that still felt foreign just a year ago.
It's why coaches are fond of saying players make their biggest jumps within the first couple of years in the league. In addition to the physical development of a player, the less an individual has to worry about all that accompanies an NFL life, the more he can focus on the actual game.
A calm mind has helped Washington's confidence shine through.
"After I stopped overthinking everything, and I just get out there and play football, I think I realized a little bit with myself that I'm good enough to play this game," Washington said. "And once I just am out there and I'm flowing — I'm playing the game free and just playing — football starts to become fun."
Learning the nuances of playing receiver in the NFL takes time, especially considering the amount of motions, packages and route concepts in modern offenses. As any golfer who has ever stepped into a tee box with a checklist of dos and don'ts running through his or her mind will tell you: It's hard to ponder and perform at the same time.
As Washington goes about things for a second time, he's also gained a better understanding of how his assignments fit into the larger picture of the offense. With a greater grasp of the part he has to play, and his on-field success reinforcing his off-field efforts, Washington is settling right into place.
"It feels like my dreams are starting to unfold," Washington said. "It's a blessing, and it's really exciting."
