The Washington Commanders are heading into a season that feels loaded with pressure and possibility, and the first month will tell a lot about where Dan Quinn’s team stands. After a summer of change - Adam Peters reshaping the roster with more athleticism and youth, Quinn installing new offensive and defensive coordinators, and the players talking about fixing what went wrong last year - there’s real curiosity around this group. There’s also a dose of concern after the losses of five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive lineman Johnny Newton to long-term injuries.
That makes the opening stretch even more unforgiving. Washington did not reveal much schematically over the summer, and with a brutal early schedule waiting, the Commanders won’t get much time to ease into anything.
Quinn’s team needs to be sharp from the jump, because this season carries serious weight. He got a pass for last year’s failures, but another stumble might not be so easy to survive.
At the same time, there’s quiet belief that this revamped roster can be more competitive.
The first test is as tough as it gets: a trip to Lincoln Financial Field to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, September 13 at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX.
For Washington, it’s a hostile opening game against the defending NFC East champs, a team with clear postseason ambitions and plenty to protect. The Commanders will have to answer force with force, especially in a game that figures to be decided up front.
Philadelphia, though, isn’t without questions of its own. Wide receiver A.J.
Brown is gone after being traded to the New England Patriots, and that could wind up being addition by subtraction given the friction between him and quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts is also working in a new offense again, with Sean Mannion stepping in as a first-time offensive coordinator.
That setup adds intrigue, but it could also mean early hiccups.
Washington is in a similar spot. The Commanders have new offensive and defensive systems, and there’s no real grace period.
Everything has to start working right away. Nobody is picking them to win this one, but if they can start fast and quiet the crowd, they’ll at least give themselves a shot at an upset.
In Other News...
Commanders Just Added Receiver Depth That Could Matter Faster Than Expected
The Commanders added another layer to their receiver room by signing Van Jefferson Jr. to the practice squad as they turn the page into Week 1 prep. Jefferson had turned in a solid training camp, but he was the odd man out when Washington finalized its 53-man roster, with Luke McCaffrey getting the nod instead.
Even so, Jefferson never felt far from the picture, and this move gives Washington a familiar contingency if the position group gets hit by injuries or simply needs more production. For a roster still sorting out its early-season depth, it is the kind of addition that could matter sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Just Made Jaden Bradleys Early Path A Lot Tougher
The Commanders added another experienced receiver to the practice squad in Van Jefferson Jr., a move that gives Washington more depth behind its top pass catchers and subtly raises the bar for everyone else in the receiver room. For a young player like undrafted rookie Jaden Bradley, who also landed on the practice squad, it means the margin for earning attention just got a little slimmer even before the season settles into its rhythm.
Bradley still has something working in his favor: Washington views him as more than just camp depth and likes the work ethic that helped him hang around. The challenge now is turning that developmental spot into a real path forward, especially with veteran competition in the building and the practice squad becoming a proving ground rather than a placeholder. [Read more 🡒]
Treylon Burks Just Got The Commanders Opportunity He Needed
Treylon Burks entered the week with a clean slate in Washington, and the Commanders made the message even clearer when they released their Week 1 depth chart for the opener against the Eagles. Burks was listed as a starting wide receiver alongside Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs, a notable sign for a player who arrived on a one-year deal and is looking for a fresh start after a difficult run with the Tennessee Titans.
The opportunity goes beyond a spot on the first depth chart. Under coordinator David Blough, Burks is expected to have a meaningful role in the offense, giving him a chance to show he can still be part of a long-term plan if he makes the most of this opening stretch. For Washington, it is a low-risk way to see whether a former first-round talent can finally find the right fit. [Read more 🡒]