Another analyst has taken a hard swing at the Washington Commanders, and this time the forecast is brutal.
Mike Tanier of the “Too Deep Zone” said in a recent mailbag that the Commanders could be “the worst team in the NFL,” and he also labeled their offseason “miserable.” Tanier has been down on Washington all summer, and he tied that view to a projected 7.7-win mark from DVOA, along with what he sees as a front office and roster depth problem.
His biggest gripe centered on what he called a “cavalcade of 32-year old acquisitions.” In his view, Washington leaned too heavily on veteran additions while giving him little reason to trust the lower end of the roster or the new coaching setup. He also pointed to “Dire tales from joint practices” as another warning sign.
That critique does have some teeth when you look at the churn around the back end of the roster. Tanier previously singled out camp depth pieces like Daniel Brunskill, Max Scharping, River Cracraft, and Matt Haack, all of whom were cut.
Others he cited have also moved on, including Trent Scott, who is on the practice squad, along with Will Harris, Antonio Hamilton, Van Jefferson, and Craig Reynolds, who is also on the practice squad. There are still older depth names in the mix, including Rasul Douglas, Byron Cowart, and Fabian Moreau.
But the age argument only goes so far. Terry McLaurin is still one of the NFC’s best receivers, Stefon Diggs is coming off a 1,000-yard season, and Marcus Mariota remains one of the NFL’s better backup quarterbacks at 32. So while the “32-year-old” label sounds ominous, it does not tell the whole story.
Tanier also made a reasonable point about how Washington should have approached the bottom of the roster. He argued the Commanders needed to do a better job evaluating that part of the team, creating more competition with younger players, and stockpiling late-round picks and UDFAs. In his words:
“The Commanders needed to do a better job self-scouting the bottom half of their roster and creating competition among younger players in 2025 and this offseason. They should have stockpiled late-round picks and UDFAs and given the ones they did have better opportunities to win roster spots and roles. One or two come-from-nowhere contributors would make their roster look a lot less like the result of an end-of-free-agency shopping spree.”
That line lands because Washington has not exactly been swimming in draft capital lately. Over the last two drafts, GM Adam Peters has not traded down to pile up more selections, while Philadelphia has kept stockpiling picks as the NFC East’s deepest roster. More swings generally mean a better chance of finding a starter or useful contributor.
Still, calling the whole offseason miserable feels like a stretch from the outside. Washington added Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson, Leo Chenal, and Nick Cross on defense, then brought in Chig Okonkwo, Rachaad White, and Diggs on offense. Those moves do not promise anything, but they do give the roster more players in their 20s, most of them on second contracts and viewed as ascending talents.
The draft also brought in Sonny Styles, Antonio Williams, and Joshua Josephs. Considering how old Washington was last season, the team at least got younger and faster in a hurry.
Tanier may still end up looking smart. Washington absolutely could be the NFL’s worst team in 2026. It could also be competitive if Jayden Daniels stays healthy.
The latest round of alarm bells also included those joint practice reports, with Tanier apparently pointing to the tweet that called Washington’s offensive line “inoperable.” Former Washington tight end Logan Paulsen pushed back on that, saying the staff was using the session to test different offensive line combinations while several starters were out. The experiment went badly, but that is part of what joint practices are for.
None of that automatically means new coordinators David Blough and Daronte Jones are overwhelmed.
Still, with all the hand-wringing, the question lingers: is it Week 1 yet?
In Other News...
Commanders Enter 2026 With Pressure Mounting And One Rookie To Watch
The Commanders head into 2026 with plenty of moving parts and a growing sense that this is a season the organization cannot afford to waste. Roster changes have left the group looking different, injuries remain part of the conversation, and the pressure is rising on a team that needs cleaner health and better production to match the expectations around it. For a coaching staff trying to steady the picture, the next few months are about making sure the offense has enough dependable answers.
One of the more interesting names in that mix is rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams, whose role could matter sooner than many young receivers do. Washington is looking for options who can fit into the offense and provide some lift as the team sorts through its personnel questions, and Williams is the sort of addition worth watching closely during a season that carries real weight for both the roster and the staff. His progress may not solve everything, but it could become one of the clearer signs of where the Commanders are headed. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Fans May Not Like Where Zach Ertz Could End Up
Zach Ertz is moving closer to the next step in his recovery, with the veteran tight end now cleared to resume football activities after tearing an ACL during his time with the Commanders. For Washington, the bridge to Ertz has already been crossed elsewhere, as the team has added other tight ends and does not appear to be planning a reunion.
Philadelphia is the part of the story that could sting some Commanders fans, even if nothing is imminent. Reports suggest a possible return to the Eagles, the team that drafted Ertz, is at least being considered as he works his way back, leaving Washington with the familiar sight of a former contributor potentially resurfacing in a place its fans would rather not see him. [Read more 🡒]
Rachaad White Faces Big Pressure In Washington's New Backfield
Washingtons new backfield already has a clear storyline as the team turns to David Blough to run the offense in 2026 and brings in Rachaad White on a one-year deal. White arrives after four seasons with the Buccaneers and is expected to give the Commanders a versatile option in the passing game alongside Jacory Croskey-Merritt, a pairing that fits what looks like a more run-focused plan under Blough.
For White, the move is about more than just a new uniform. His season in Washington could go a long way toward resetting his value around the league, especially with a role that should put him in position to contribute as a receiver out of the backfield. The fit gives him an opportunity, but it also puts real pressure on him to show he can still be a reliable part of an NFL offense. [Read more 🡒]