All it took for the Washington Commanders to have their best season in the 21st century was arguably the greatest rookie quarterback performance of all time.
The Commanders’ 2024 season could not have been scripted any better. After the team slid to a 4-13 finish the previous year, No. 2 pick and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels immediately steadied the ship and delivered instant classics such as a primetime win over Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals in September and the “Hail Maryland” miracle against the Chicago Bears just before Halloween.
The Commanders made the playoffs, avenging their previous loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and outscoring an ascendant Detroit Lions squad before finally falling in the NFC Championship to the eventual Super Bowl champion, the Philadelphia Eagles.
For the first time in a while, the Commanders carry Super Bowl aspirations. After making several big offseason splashes, general manager Adam Peters is hoping to repeat last year’s formula of relying on a high-octane offense to make up for defensive deficiencies.
Any conversation about the Commanders must begin with Daniels, who threw for 3,568 yards and rushed for 891 yards en route to earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors last season. There is no question Daniels is a special talent — a true dual-threat player. He finished second in quarterback rushing yards behind Lamar Jackson, converted a league-high 87% of fourth-down attempts and scored a touchdown in the last 30 seconds of a game on five separate occasions.
The accelerated rebuild timeline also presents a major advantage: Daniels’ rookie contract gives the Commanders’ front office far more financial flexibility to invest in other needs across the team. Indeed, Peters was especially aggressive in acquiring talent via trade, adding Pro Bowl tackle Laremy Tunsil and former All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel via trade. Star wideout Terry McLaurin, tight end Zach Ertz and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota also earned extensions with the team, among other depth pieces.
Still, Daniels is far from a finished product, and his continued growth will rely heavily on the offensive line’s ability to protect him. After taking 47 sacks last season — which ranked sixth-most among all quarterbacks — Daniels will now have Tunsil and recent first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr. at the tackle positions and should see significantly more protection in the pocket.
By the numbers, the Commanders had an elite run game last season, but much of that was thanks to Daniels. The running back room of Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez Jr. and seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt leaves plenty to be desired, especially since the team traded away workhorse back Brian Robinson Jr. The team’s fortunes in the run game this season will likely depend on Croskey-Merritt’s ascendance as a home run threat or Ekeler’s return to his 2023 form, but until these developments play out, the rushing game remains a weakness.
Run defense is also a big question: the team ranked in the bottom five for nearly every major category in rushing defense last season.
Longtime star defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was released after an injury-marred 2024; instead, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw will pair up with Daron Payne after signing a $45 million contract in free agency. New signings Von Miller and Deatrich Wise Jr. provide additional veteran presences on the edges, and defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton is expected to take a step forward after a promising rookie season.
Despite these additions, the Commanders still lack true impact talent in the trenches and will look to their strong linebacker core to step up. Both Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu received All-Pro honors last season and are set to anchor the squad, but Dante Fowler Jr. left in free agency after posting double-digit sacks. Miller will likely rotate in as a strongside backer, while young players such as Kain Medrano and Jacob Magee will have a chance to develop.
Finally, the secondary unit will have the most variance in terms of overall performance. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore is an inconsistent first option in the position at best, while Mike Sainristil and rookie Trey Amos will be asked to assume significant roles early in their careers. Safeties Quan Martin and Will Harris are fine options, but similarly lack the pedigree to be true difference makers on the field. Especially in a division full of wide receiver talent, the Commanders will need to hope their secondary unit stays healthy and consistent if they wish to make it deep into the playoffs.
Every contender has question marks throughout their roster. But in the Commanders’ case, they have the luxury of knowing that so long as Daniels continues on his upward trajectory, the sky is the limit. Hope is finally back in town, and for Commanders fans, this season should be a fun one.