Commanders Enter Critical Offseason With Pressure Mounting and Big Decisions Ahead
The Super Bowl confetti has barely settled, but in Washington, the offseason has already been in full swing. After a season that veered sharply off course, the Commanders are staring down a pivotal few months that could shape the trajectory of the franchise for years to come.
A year removed from an NFC Championship appearance, Washington’s 2025 campaign was a sobering reality check. Injuries certainly played a role, but the issues ran deeper than the injury report. A five-win season simply isn’t acceptable for a team that had legitimate postseason aspirations, and now head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters are tasked with picking up the pieces.
This is Year 3 of the Quinn-Peters era, and while there’s still belief among fans, the honeymoon is over. The pressure is real, and it’s intensifying.
Quinn has already made bold moves, parting ways with both of his coordinators in an effort to reset the culture and direction of the team. The message is clear: the status quo won’t cut it.
Now comes the heavy lifting-revamping a roster that needs to get younger, faster, and far more dynamic on both sides of the ball.
A Team in Transition, with a Spotlight on the Quarterback
One of the biggest questions looming over the Commanders’ offseason is the development of quarterback Jayden Daniels. The former first-round pick showed flashes of promise, but injuries stalled his momentum. Now, with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury out of the picture, Daniels will be asked to take the next step without the coach who helped guide his early NFL development.
That’s a tall order, and it’s one of the reasons why national analysts remain cautious about Washington’s outlook. FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano slotted the Commanders at No. 17 in his offseason power rankings, citing the need for a major defensive overhaul and Daniels’ ability to stay healthy and progress without Kingsbury as key variables.
“A healthy Jayden Daniels will be a big boost for this team,” Vacchiano noted, “but now he’ll have to succeed without OC Kliff Kingsbury. Also, his injuries weren’t the only problem in D.C. The defense needs a big offseason overhaul, too.”
He’s not wrong. Daniels staying on the field is critical, but it won’t matter much if the defense can’t hold its own. Washington struggled mightily on that side of the ball last season, and new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones will be tasked with reshaping a unit that lost its identity.
New Coordinators, New Vision
The additions of Jones on defense and David Blough as offensive coordinator signal a fresh direction. Both are stepping into high-pressure roles, and their ability to quickly implement their systems will be essential. If they can unlock the potential of the current roster while integrating new talent, the Commanders could be a much more competitive team in 2026.
But that’s a big “if.”
There’s no sugarcoating it-Washington’s situation is precarious. The front office has limited draft capital, with only two picks in the first four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
That puts a premium on smart scouting and savvy maneuvering. Every pick has to count.
The silver lining? Peters is expected to have upwards of $100 million in cap space to work with.
That kind of financial flexibility opens the door for strategic free-agent signings, particularly targeting players coming off rookie deals who are entering their prime. The goal is clear: plug holes quickly and raise the floor of this roster without mortgaging the future.
The Heat Is On
Internally, there’s still alignment between Quinn and Peters, and that matters. But make no mistake-the pressure is mounting.
Quinn’s seat is warming, and if things don’t turn around soon, Peters won’t be far behind. The urgency inside the building is real, and last season’s collapse should serve as a wake-up call.
The Commanders have the resources to make a leap. They also have glaring holes to fill and a fan base that’s grown tired of false starts. This offseason isn’t just about improvement-it’s about proving that this regime has the vision and execution to build a sustainable contender.
If everything clicks-if Daniels stays healthy, if the new coordinators hit the ground running, if Peters nails free agency-Washington could be right back in the playoff conversation come next winter.
But if the missteps continue, the franchise could be facing another round of sweeping changes in 2027.
It’s a high-stakes offseason in the nation’s capital. And the clock is ticking.