Washington Commanders fans have plenty to latch onto as 2026 approaches, and the biggest reason is sitting right at quarterback.
After Jayden Daniels burst onto the scene in 2024, Washington’s fanbase had a real jolt of hope, even if that optimism came with some caution. Dan Quinn arrived as the new head coach before that season, and the early mood around the team was more measured than wild.
That made sense. This was a fanbase that had spent a long time waiting for something real to build.
As the 2024 season unfolded, the doubt didn’t disappear overnight. Plenty of fans were still bracing for the bottom to fall out.
It never did. Instead, Washington kept rolling all the way to its first NFC Championship appearance in three decades.
The 2025 season brought injuries, but not the kind of collapse that leaves a fanbase completely deflated. There’s a difference between a bad team and a team that gets hit by season-ending injuries, and Washington’s supporters seem to understand that. That may help explain why they aren’t viewed as overly negative.
A recent CBS Sports ranking of the NFL’s most optimistic fanbases placed the Commanders in the middle of the pack, but the case for optimism is obvious. The return of Jayden Daniels from last year’s injury is the headline. Beyond that, Adam Peters added a group of defensive players that has people paying attention, including first-round rookie Sonny Styles, Leo Chenal, K’Lavon Chaisson, Nick Cross, and Odafe Oweh.
The offense got a boost too. Washington also signed Stefon Diggs, giving the unit a chance to be more dynamic and explosive than it has been in a long time.
There are still some skeptics in the fanbase, but they appear to be the exception rather than the rule. For most Commanders fans, the ingredients for a strong 2026 are easy to see, and that optimism should only grow if the team proves it can remain a real factor in the NFL.
In Other News...
Sam Hartmans Commanders Roster Fight Already Looks Much Tougher
Sam Hartman is back in another Washington Commanders offseason, and the path hes trying to carve out at quarterback looks steeper than it did a few weeks ago. Entering his third summer with the organization, Hartman is still trying to turn familiarity into staying power, but the room around him has changed enough to make every rep matter. Washingtons latest addition at the position has only tightened the competition and pushed Hartman into a more precarious place on the roster.
Hartman now sits at the bottom of the quarterback depth chart, which is never a comfortable spot for a player trying to prove he belongs. The Commanders still have time to sort out the position battle, but the early signs suggest Hartmans margin for error is slim and his clearest path may not even be to the active roster. For a player entering his third offseason with the team, the fight is no longer just about beating out another quarterback, its about avoiding being squeezed out entirely. [Read more 🡒]
Johnny Newton Is Entering A Commanders Battle Few Saw Coming
Dan Quinn has made it clear Johnny Newton is still part of Washingtons plans, even as the second-year defensive lineman works through a transition that has not been entirely smooth. The No. 36 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has flashed some pass-rushing ability, but he is still dealing with issues of play strength and the demands of fitting into the Commanders new 3-4 front.
For now, Newtons roster spot is safe, but the competition around him has sharpened the stakes. Other linemen are outperforming him, and Washington still wants to see him become a more complete player before it can be sure of his long-term role, leaving his path more precarious than it looked when he arrived. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Quinn Just Sharpened Washingtons Biggest Camp Battles
Marcus Mariotas MCL sprain was one of the main injury notes Dan Quinn walked through in his latest press conference, but the Commanders sounded encouraged about the quarterbacks timeline as camp moves toward the regular season. Quinn also gave updates on Trey Amos recovery progress and Nick Allegrettis return to practice, while making clear that Washington is still in the middle of sorting out some important roster spots before the real games begin.
The biggest competition remains at center, where the reps are still being sorted out and every practice matters as the staff evaluates who can handle the job. Quinn also touched on linebacker Sonny Styles development and the teams communication across the board, a reminder that Washingtons training camp is less about finishing answers than building toward them. [Read more 🡒]