The Washington Commanders are heading into 2026 with more questions than answers-but not because they’re lost. This isn’t a franchise in free fall. It’s one trying to recalibrate after a wild two-year swing that saw them go from NFC Championship Game contenders to a team gutted by injuries and scrambling to regain its footing.
And at the center of it all? Jayden Daniels.
The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year remains the heartbeat of the Commanders’ rebuild-or, more accurately, their retool. Daniels isn’t just a promising young quarterback.
He’s a game-changer. His arm talent, poise, and creativity outside the pocket force defenses to account for every blade of grass.
But as he enters Year 3, the conversation is shifting. We know how high his ceiling is.
The bigger question now is: can he stay on the field?
David Blough Inherits a Rare Talent-and a Big Responsibility
New offensive coordinator David Blough steps into a high-stakes situation. He’s got a rare weapon in Daniels, and his task is to build an offense that maximizes the quarterback’s dynamic skill set without putting him in harm’s way. That’s easier said than done, especially after two seasons of Kliff Kingsbury trying to strike that balance with mixed results.
Blough will benefit from something Kingsbury didn’t always have: a stabilized offensive line.
Washington’s front five, once a glaring weakness, has quietly become a strength. Laremy Tunsil’s arrival gave the Commanders a true anchor at left tackle, and it’s hard to imagine they don’t lock him up long-term. Tyler Biadasz has brought consistency at center, and Sam Cosmi has quietly become one of the league’s better right guards-physical, technical, and a tone-setter in the run game.
Left guard remains unsettled, but there are options. Chris Paul could return to the role, or Brandon Coleman-who filled in admirably at left tackle during his rookie year-could slide inside. And then there’s Josh Conerly Jr., the 2025 first-rounder who showed significant growth at right tackle over the course of his rookie campaign.
Conerly’s pass protection numbers tell the story: 624 pass-blocking snaps (fourth among rookie tackles), eight sacks allowed, but only two in his final 311 reps. That kind of late-season improvement is exactly what you want to see from a young tackle with his athletic profile. He’s not just a placeholder-he’s a building block.
Skill Positions Still Searching for Stability
While the offensive line is trending in the right direction, the pass-catching group remains a work in progress-something that’s felt true for several years now.
Terry McLaurin is still the alpha. He’s one of the league’s most respected route runners and a tone-setter in the locker room.
As long as he’s healthy, he’s a focal point. But beyond him, it’s murky.
Deebo Samuel Sr.’s future is still up in the air, and while Treylon Burks had a few flashes after coming over from Tennessee, he hasn’t yet proven he can be a consistent No. 2 option. Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane brought juice in the return game, but the Commanders need at least one of them to take a step forward as a reliable WR3 or WR4. Expect the front office to keep investing here-Daniels needs more weapons.
Tight end is an even bigger concern. Zach Ertz is likely done in Washington after a serious injury, and John Bates is the only real core piece left in the room.
Ben Sinnott, a second-round pick in 2024, hasn’t delivered the receiving impact the team hoped for. If this offense is going to take the next step, it needs more athleticism and versatility at the position.
A Backfield Surprise-and a Scheme Fit
One of the few bright spots in 2025 was the backfield, where seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt emerged as a legitimate contributor. He’s not a burner, but he runs with vision, toughness, and just enough burst to be effective. In Blough’s likely wide-zone-heavy scheme, Croskey-Merritt’s ability to press the edge and make decisive cuts could make him a long-term fit.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. remains a solid complement-he brings power and depth-but the lead role is now Croskey-Merritt’s to lose.
Defensive Identity Still Under Construction
On the other side of the ball, things are far less settled.
The Commanders are still searching for an identity on defense, and with a new coordinator yet to be hired, the direction remains unclear. What is clear: many of the veteran stopgaps brought in recently aren’t part of the long-term plan.
There are some promising young pieces. Second-round corner Trey Amos looked like a potential cornerstone before an injury cut his season short.
Mike Sainristil continues to be one of the more versatile and productive young defensive backs in the league, capable of playing both inside and out. Before the playoffs, he trailed only Houston’s Calen Bullock in interceptions among 2024 draftees.
But beyond the secondary, there are plenty of question marks.
Defensive tackle Johnny Newton had a standout performance against Dallas, racking up three sacks, but Washington needs more consistent disruption from him. Linebacker Jordan Magee has earned a bigger role, while Kain Medrano remains a mystery-he didn’t log a single defensive snap in 2025, despite the decline of veterans Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. That’s a decision from Dan Quinn’s staff that raised more than a few eyebrows.
Up front, Dorance Armstrong Jr. was one of the league’s sack leaders before getting hurt, and he remains a key piece. But outside of him, the cupboard is pretty bare.
Von Miller’s best days are behind him. Drake Jackson and Javontae Jean-Baptiste are still projects.
Jacob Martin could return as a rotational pass rusher, but this unit needs reinforcements-and fast.
Clarify, Don’t Rebuild
This offseason isn’t about starting from scratch. It’s about sharpening the vision.
The Commanders have the most important piece in place: a franchise quarterback. They’ve got a solid offensive line, a promising backfield, and a few young defenders who can grow into foundational roles. Now it’s about health, development, and aligning the roster with a clear identity on both sides of the ball.
If they can stay healthy and hit on a few key additions-particularly at wide receiver, tight end, and edge rusher-Washington could move quickly from recalibrating to contending. But that window won’t stay open forever.
Year 3 for Jayden Daniels is about more than just progress. It’s about setting the tone for what this team can become.