Washington Commanders Offseason Progress Report

Can the Commanders avoid the dreaded Sophomore Slump?

Commanders Star Receiver Terry McLaurin

Overview

2024 Record: 12-5

General Manager: Adam Peters

Head Coach: Dan Quinn

Starting Quarterback: Jayden Daniels

Key Extensions:

WR Terry McLaurin (3 years, $96 million, $30 million guaranteed), LB Bobby Wagner (1 year, $9 million, $8 million guaranteed)

Key Additions:

WR Deebo Samuel, OT Laremy Tunsil, EDGE Von Miller, CB Jonathan Jones, DL Javon Kinlaw, S Will Harris, OT Josh Conerly Jr, CB Trey Amos

Key Departures:

EDGE Dante Fowler Jr, S Jeremy Chinn, DL Jonathan Allen

Offense

Offensive Coordinator: Kliff Kingsbury

2024 Ranks:

EPA/play: 4th Success Rate: 4th PPG: 5th (28.5ppg)

Projected Starting Offense (11 personnel):

QB Jayden Daniels

RB Brian Robinson

WR Terry McLaurin

WR Deebo Samuel

WR Noah Brown

TE Zach Ertz

LT Laremy Tunsil

LG Brandon Coleman

C Tyler Biadasz

RG Sam Cosmi

RT Andrew Wylie

Offense Notes:

Perhaps the most unexpected turnaround in the league happened with the Commanders offense. Rookie QB Jayden Daniels and play caller Kliff Kingsbury took the league by storm, leading the football team in Washington to Top 5 marks across the board. The unit never scored below 18 points, and ultimately led the team to the NFC Championship.

Despite the high success in Year One, this group had plenty of deficiencies that Daniels erased. This offseason, however, Washington’s front office has done an excellent job at filling those holes. Deebo Samuel has been brought in as receiver depth. Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly Jr. are strong tackle options for now and the future. If the team can get a deal done with (slightly) disgruntled receiver Terry McLaurin, this group has a good chance of avoiding the dreaded sophomore slump.

Defense

Defensive Coordinator: Joe Whitt

2024 Ranks:

EPA/play: 17th Success Rate: 13th PPG: 18th (23ppg allowed)

Projected Starting Defense (Base 4-2):

DE Dorance Armstrong

DT Daron Payne

DT Javon Kinlaw

DE Von Miller

LB Frankie Luvu

LB Bobby Wagner

CB Trey Amos

CB Marshon Lattimore

NB Mike Sainristil

S Will Harris

S Quan Martin

Defense Notes:

If the offense was an unexpected surprise, the defense was pretty par for the course in terms of expectations. The Commanders brought in lots of veteran defenders, almost enough to field an entire starting unit, to supplement the poor incumbents that were there in 2023. With this infusion of veteran talent, this group was able to at least compliment the defense in wins, and be competent enough in losses.

2025 might bring some difficulties on the defensive side of the ball. The loss of veterans Jeremy Chinn, Dante Fowler, and Jonathan Allen, all replaced by (probably) inferior talent, may lead to more struggles, particularly against the run. On the bright side, young players like Trey Amos and Johnny Newton should inject youthful talent to a unit that’s relied mostly on veterans for the past few seasons. If the young guys can have an impact sooner rather than later, this group can be more competitive this season.

Outlook

Overall, Washington exceeded all expectations last season, mostly on the back of Jayden Daniels. The biggest fear for any Year 2 player is the sophomore slump, but with the additions on offense, can the Commanders avoid it?

With a year of tape against them, teams won’t be caught off guard by the Commanders. Despite an NFC Championship appearance last season, it may not be fair to put those expectations back on them, especially when they allowed the most points in a conference championship game all time (55).

The bottom line is that this team showed us that they are capable of making the playoffs and winning against the best of the best. With the Eagles still looking strong, and some other NFC teams gaining back lots of players from injury (Detroit, San Francisco), the top of the conference should be much tougher. Nevertheless, Washington should still compete next season, and continue to put for high-powered offensive performances.

Expectation/Goal for 2025: Compete for NFC East, Wild Card

2025 Schedule

\(\begin{array}{c c} \textbf{GameWeek} & \textbf{Opponent} \\ \hline \text{Week 1} & \text{vs. New York Giants, 1pm} \\ \textbf{Week 2} & \textbf{@ Green Bay, TNF, 8:15pm} \\ \text{Week 3} & \text{vs. Las Vegas, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 4} & \text{@ Atlanta, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 5} & \text{@ LA Chargers, 4:25pm} \\ \textbf{Week 6} & \textbf{vs. Chicago, MNF, 8:15pm} \\ \text{Week 7} & \text{@ Dallas, 4:25pm} \\ \textbf{Week 8} & \textbf{@ Kansas City, MNF, 8:15pm} \\ \textbf{Week 9} & \textbf{vs. Seattle, SNF, 8:20pm} \\ \text{Week 10} & \text{vs. Detroit, 4:25pm} \\ \text{Week 11} & \text{@ Miami, 9:30am*} \\ \text{Week 12} & \text{-- BYE WEEK --} \\ \textbf{Week 13} & \textbf{vs. Denver, SNF, 8:20pm} \\ \text{Week 14} & \text{@ Minnesota, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 15} & \text{@ New York Giants, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 16} & \text{vs. Philadelphia, TBD} \\ \textbf{Week 17} & \textbf{vs. Dallas, TNF, 8:15pm} \\ \text{Week 18} & \text{@ Philadelphia, TBD} \\ \end{array} \)

Primetime games are BOLDED, all times EDT/EST

*Week 11 game vs. Miami is in Madrid*