The Commanders have bigger problems than just the man on the sideline, and Adam Peters is feeling that heat now too.
Washington’s season has been pinned mostly on Dan Quinn, but the general manager isn’t getting a pass. Since the team made that conference championship run in Year 1 of this ambitious project, the returns have been thin. Peters has missed on some draft choices and roster moves, and while injuries have piled up, that excuse only goes so far.
Still, this is not a franchise at the end of the road. The Commanders are 2-4-1, they still have 10 games left, and the win over the Philadelphia Eagles kept them alive.
In a weak NFC East, they are not out of the race yet. But even with the season still hanging around, Peters has to start thinking ahead, because several major decisions are already waiting for him.
That’s the backdrop for the next stretch of roster calls, the kind that can shape where this team goes next. Peters’ standing with majority owner Josh Harris gives him some protection, and general managers usually get two head coaches before the axe falls on them.
So even if Quinn is gone after the season, Peters should have more runway. But the scrutiny is only getting sharper.
One of the first names in that conversation is K’Lavon Chaisson, and he has forced his way into the discussion with his recent play.
Washington brought in Chaisson this offseason after his breakout year with the New England Patriots. He passed on the longer-term security the New Orleans Saints could have offered because he believed another strong season would put him in a better spot financially. That bet is paying off so far.
After a quiet start, Chaisson has started to hit his stride. He brings energy, explosion, and a work rate that stands out, especially on a defense that has had trouble meeting expectations. For a 2020 first-round pick out of LSU, the production has been enough to create trade buzz before the deadline.
Peters will listen if teams call, and that becomes even more likely if the Commanders don’t beat the Los Angeles Rams this weekend. But Chaisson may be moving closer to an extension than a deal out of town.
Pressure off the edge matters, and Washington has found a useful source of it. Unless someone comes with a massive offer, the safer move is to keep him in the fold.
In Other News...
Commanders May Be Getting The Rams Defense They Didnt Want
The pass rush the Commanders were hoping to avoid appears to be back on the menu in Week 9. Myles Garrett has been working his way back from knee surgery, and after practicing all week, the star edge rusher is expected to be activated from Injured Reserve ahead of Los Angeles game against Washington.
The Rams are still evaluating his readiness before making it official, but the signs point toward him being available Sunday. For a Commanders offense already staring at a tough matchup, the timing could hardly be worse if Garrett is cleared to suit up. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Face A Brutal Test With Their Offense Under Pressure
The Rams arrive in Week 9 with some momentum, having bounced back from an earlier loss with two straight wins as they try to push their record above .500. For Washington, the timing is tricky. The Commanders are coming off a win, but the bigger picture still shows a team with a losing record and a roster dealing with injury issues, which makes this matchup feel like a real measuring stick for where the offense stands right now.
Los Angeles brings a balanced challenge, and the matchup leans into the areas where the Rams have looked most capable lately. They have shown advantages both on the ground and through the air against a Washington defense that will have to hold up under pressure for four quarters. With the betting market backing the Rams, the Commanders are left needing a cleaner, more efficient offensive outing than the one they can afford to waste. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Short-Week Roster Squeeze Before Rams Game
Washingtons short week is already turning into a roster-management test before the Rams arrive, with the receiver room taking on some early wear and tear. Treylon Burks missed both practices because of a foot injury, while Dyami Brown was limited with a calf issue, leaving the Commanders to juggle health and availability as they try to get through a quick turnaround.
The moves on the transaction wire showed how tightly things are being managed, with Robert Henry Jr. activated and Ricky Barber moved onto the active roster as Washington keeps patching together depth. The Rams are dealing with their own injury concerns and roster shuffling, including promoting kicker Joshua Karty, so both sides are heading into the matchup with more questions than theyd like for a game that is coming up fast. [Read more 🡒]