The Washington Commanders’ offensive line problems have gotten so obvious that the fix may be less about who’s on the field and more about how the offense is being built around them.
General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have already made it clear there won’t be any personnel changes after the bye week. Quinn believes the answer lies in the concepts, not the lineup. That sounds tidy enough in theory, but it doesn’t erase the reality in front of Jayden Daniels, who is dealing with a protection unit that simply doesn’t have enough talent to cover for its flaws.
The loss of Laremy Tunsil has made that gap even harder to hide. The five-time Pro Bowl left tackle was more than just a high-end player; he was a stabilizing force.
Since his torn triceps, the ripple effect has been brutal. Daniels is taking the most pressure of any quarterback, and opponents have already figured out exactly where to attack.
On top of that, the Commanders’ offensive line depth is almost nonexistent.
So if the roster isn’t changing, what can Washington actually do?
One answer is to make the offense simpler. Daniels isn’t getting enough time to work through progressions, which makes more one-read concepts with screens and slants a logical way to reduce the damage. That approach can help keep defenses honest, but it won’t automatically solve the problem of moving the ball.
The run game would also need to carry more weight, though that’s tricky without Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Rachaad White is set to lead the backfield again in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles, but he hasn’t delivered much so far. Whether the issue is his play or the blocking in front of him is up for debate, but the bigger point is that the entire operation has to be better.
That’s where heavier personnel groupings come in, especially 13 personnel. Three tight ends on the line of scrimmage with one running back and one receiver could make the offense look more predictable, but Washington may need that extra body count just to survive up front.
The Commanders do have some pieces that fit the idea. Ben Sinnott and John Bates are both serviceable blocking tight ends, while Chig Okonkwo can add value as well, especially in play-action. And with Terry McLaurin out for the season with a torn patellar tendon, leaning into more 13 personnel may be the cleanest way to adjust.
Per Sumer Sports, Washington has used 13 personnel on 11.81 percent of its offensive snaps this season, which works out to 45 plays. That’s above the league average of 9.11 percent. From that grouping, the Commanders have run the ball 34 times and thrown it 11 times.
The Los Angeles Rams lead the NFL in 13 personnel usage at 33.68%, and their offense has managed just fine. That’s the kind of example offensive coordinator David Blough should be studying closely. More of that alignment could give Washington’s line a little breathing room and help set a tone early before opening things up later.
It’s not a cure-all. But given the state of the protection and the uncertainty in the receiver room without McLaurin, it looks like a path Quinn and Blough should seriously consider.
In Other News...
Commanders Add Intriguing Edge Depth As Position Shuffle Continues
Washington added another name to its edge rotation by signing defensive end Kyle Kennard to the practice squad, a move that fits the kind of ongoing shuffle teams make as they sort out depth late in the season. Kennard arrives with some NFL experience already on his ledger, having appeared in five games after the Chargers took him in the fourth round of the 2025 draft.
It is also a reminder that the Commanders are still looking for useful pieces at a position where health and availability can change the picture quickly. Kennard had his playing time slowed by injuries before getting cut loose in Los Angeles, and Washington is betting there is still something to mine there as it keeps turning over options on the edge. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Be Heading Toward A Daron Payne Decision Fans Dread
Washingtons rough start and the shape of the division have pushed the Commanders into the kind of midseason conversation no team wants to have, with the trade deadline looming and the possibility that they could act like sellers. In that context, Daron Payne has emerged as a name worth watching. The defensive tackle remains one of the more prominent pieces on the roster, and with his contract situation adding another layer to the discussion, he is suddenly sitting at the center of a decision that could shape both the present and the near future.
CBS Sports analyst Jared Dubin recently listed Payne among his top 25 trade candidates, which only adds to the intrigue around what Washington might do before the deadline. If the Commanders decide they are more interested in draft capital than a short-term push, Payne becomes one of the clearest players who could draw attention. For a fan base that would rather see core talent stay put, the idea of moving him is an unsettling one, and it leaves this as one of the more uncomfortable storylines to follow over the next stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels Just Became A Real Commanders Debate
Jayden Daniels second season has not matched the electric promise of his rookie year, and the reasons are as much about availability as performance. Injuries have limited his time on the field, which has only sharpened the conversation around how Washington should view its young quarterback as the team tries to build around him.
The debate now goes beyond weekly production and into bigger roster questions, with outside speculation already attaching itself to Daniels future and the looming contract picture. Minnesota has been mentioned in that swirl, and with no official decisions or transactions on the books, the Commanders are left with a familiar NFL tension: whether to stay patient with a talented quarterback or let the noise around him keep growing. [Read more 🡒]