Training Camp Notebook: Explosive Offense

Photo by Sandra Agbotse 

“Cody, what’s up! Let’s gooooo it’s almost time!” I didn’t even have time to say hello to Coach JR Wells on our call Thursday before that infectious enthusiasm was beaming out of the phone. “10 days until kickoff!” The Washington Wolfpack hit the field for the first time in 2026 against the Oregon Lightning on Sunday, April 12th, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.

Marcus Manuel: Coachable 

A lot of the Wolfpack’s training camp has been outdoors, but the team has shifted indoors over the last few days to start to get that feel for playing football inside, having those walls up, and playing around them. Bringing in that “arena feel,” Coach Wells said. When I asked Coach for a player who is standing out to him in camp, he didn't skip a beat as he mentioned “MJ” in reference to wide receiver Marcus Manuel, “not the biggest kid in the world, but his speed, developing into a nasty high motion receiver, and even as a static receiver.” “The kid is receptive, he’s learning, he’s coachable, he’s strong, he has mad vert.” “That kid is surprising the whole camp for sure.” 

Explosive Offense

During onboarding, the Wolfpack did an exercise where each player had to come up with three words to describe what they envisioned for this offense. Coach Wells wrote down his three words, as did all of the offensive players. “Explosive” was the number one returned word. Coach Wells says they’ve manifested that energy throughout training, and they have the right pieces to “ignite the fireworks” on offense in 2026.