The Commanders came out of Week 1 with plenty to chew on after their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and the biggest takeaway is hard to miss: this roster still needs help in key spots.
Washington battled to the finish at Lincoln Financial Field, but the opener exposed some real cracks. General manager Adam Peters made major changes over the summer and took some sizable swings at certain position groups. After one game, those bets don’t look ready to pay off the way the Commanders need them to.
It’s still early, and the season won’t be defined by one night in Philadelphia. But with a brutal start to the year, Washington may have to act fast if it wants to patch holes before they become bigger problems.
That’s easier said than done in September. Quality veterans are not exactly lining up on the open market once the season is underway, and the ones who are available may not be in shape or in form to help right away. Mining practice squads is another avenue, but that comes with its own uncertainty.
Still, the Commanders have reasons to be proactive. Peters has cap space left, even if he’d prefer to hold most of it for future extensions. Between underwhelming performances and injury questions, standing pat is a risky choice.
One possible name is Graham Glasgow. Washington has full confidence in Nick Allegretti, and Peters clearly backed that belief by moving on from Tyler Biadasz and then giving Allegretti another contract extension before it was due. Fans weren’t sold on the move, and Week 1 only sharpened those doubts.
Against Philadelphia, Allegretti struggled in just about every area that matters for an offensive lineman. The shotgun snaps were off, the run and pass blocking broke down, and there were several blown assignments that made Washington’s protection look shaky. Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter are a tough assignment for anyone, but that performance was still a rough one.
How long the Commanders wait before at least lining up a stronger fallback plan is the real question. The answer probably needs to come soon.
Glasgow has already said he would be open to joining Washington if they reached out. He brings more experience as an offensive line anchor than Allegretti, and even after a down year with the Detroit Lions, he would likely be an upgrade right now.
The catch is that it may not happen. Peters has already committed to Allegretti, and for now, he may be willing to stick with that decision.
In Other News...
Stefon Diggs Faced A Big Commanders Test After Costly Mistake
Stefon Diggs gave Washington an unexpected lesson in how quickly a big play can turn into a costly one after his ill-advised touchdown celebration near the goalpost wiped out the chance for the Commanders to try a two-point conversion against the Eagles. For a team trying to stack wins and sharpen the little details, it was the kind of mistake that stands out immediately because it changes more than just the next snap.
Dan Quinn said Diggs later apologized privately to the team and promised to be more self-aware moving forward, and the veteran receiver also stepped up in the locker room to own it. The episode left the Commanders with a frustrating what-if, but it also showed how quickly accountability matters inside a team that expects its leaders to respond the right way when something goes sideways. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Quinn Just Raised The Stakes For Mike Sainristil
Mike Sainristil had a rough night against the Eagles, and it showed up in the biggest moments of Washingtons loss. The second-year corner was part of the breakdowns that helped tilt the game, and head coach Dan Quinn did not shy away from putting the spotlight on his focus and execution after the fact. For a player who had been building trust in a young secondary, it was the kind of public nudge that instantly raises the temperature.
Now the conversation is no longer just about one bad outing, but about what comes next if the lapses continue. Washington has options behind him, including veterans and other prospects who could force a change in the cornerback pecking order if Quinn and the staff decide the standard is not being met. For Sainristil, the margin for error just got a lot thinner. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Big Defensive Question Adam Peters Must Answer
The Commanders cornerback group came out of Week 1 with more questions than answers, and it showed up in a loss that left Washington searching for help on the back end. With the defense under pressure early, the idea of adding another starting-caliber corner has started to make the rounds, and Pittsburghs Joey Porter Jr. has quickly become the name to watch.
Porter is still playing on his rookie deal and has yet to land an extension, which only adds to the trade buzz around him. Whether Adam Peters decides to push on a deal is another matter, since any move would have to balance the price in compensation with the long-term contract piece, but the Commanders clearly have a defensive issue that could force their hand. [Read more 🡒]