Following a run to the NFC Championship game last season with a sensational rookie quarterback, the Washington Commanders had a very disappointing most recent season. They completely flipped from winning 12 games down to only winning 5. Fans had high expectations for starting quarterback, Jayden Daniels, and have only been let down.
A Collection of Injuries
Injuries were one of the most impactful factors of the Commanders’ disappointing year. Here is a list of some of the more significant losses in positions:
QB1 (out for season)
RB1 (out for season)
WR1 (out for season)
WR3 (out for season)
WR4 (out for season)
RG (came back Week 7)
Edge1 (out for season)
Edge2 (out for season)
Edge3 (out for season)
CB1 (out for season)
S (out for season)
This list does not even include injuries that happened only over certain weeks. Jayden Daniels, for example, only started 7 games this year and was able to finish just 4 of them. He sustained 3 different injuries this season, with the biggest being a dislocated elbow. Not to forget, almost the entire starting defensive line dealt with an injury or was placed on Injured Reserve for the rest of the year. This team was never able to fully shake the injury bug and get continuity playing with each other.
Team Age
A big issue surrounding this Commanders team is the aging of players. The Washington Commanders statistically have the oldest average roster in the league, creating real problems.
The past two offseasons, the Commanders have attempted to surround Daniels with veteran leaders who can impact this team in a positive manner. This strategy can work, but only to an extent. Additions such as Zach Ertz and Bobby Wagner gave the team a weapon on offense and a huge leader for the defensive side. However, Ertz tore his ACL this year and likely will not return next season. To add on, Wagner is getting old fast. The addition of veteran linebacker Von Miller is just another example of this strategy at play. Constantly signing players older than 35 is not turning out well. The Commanders will have only five picks in this upcoming draft.
Having an old defense limits the options for play design, as older linebackers are often too slow for certain coverages. This limitation does not fit well with a young secondary that is known for poor tackling. The Commanders’ aging roster leads into another issue that has affected the organization…
Terrible Player Development & Drafting:
The Commanders have many young, talented players on their roster. However, not a single first round draft pick taken during the Ron Rivera coaching era (2020-2023) is still on the team. Before Jayden Daniels was taken in the 2024 NFL Draft, the last active player on this roster to be drafted in the first round was Daron Payne (drafted in 2018). This issue is ultimately due to the failed draft picks made by past coaching regimes.
After the Commanders made the NFC Championship game last year, they tried to develop into contenders too fast. They added too many old veterans and did not have any young depth pieces. All of the failed first round draft picks were expected to be developed by now so that the team could have succeeded.
Bad Coaching:
Defense
The Commanders’ defense may have been the worst in the National Football League as a whole this year. This past season, the Washington Commanders ranked last in total defense along with allowing the most yards per game (384.3). The pass rush and run stopping have been horrendous. They ranked third to last in rushing defense and fifth to last in passing defense. Around mid-season, coach Dan Quinn decided to take over defensive play calling from coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. The defense improved slightly; however, switching playcallers was simply a Band-aid for a much larger problem.
Protecting Jayden Daniels
The Commanders’ coaching staff has struggled to adequately protect Jayden Daniels, and it’s becoming painfully clear on the field. Poor offensive line schemes, slow adjustments, and a lack of clear protection assignments have left Daniels exposed to constant pressure and hits. This not only disrupts the flow of the offense but also increases the risk of serious injury for a young quarterback still developing in the NFL. Instead of creating a system that maximizes Daniels’ strengths, the coaching decisions often seem reactive rather than proactive, putting him in situations where he has to scramble or take unnecessary risks. If the team doesn’t prioritize quarterback protection, it could stunt his growth and harm both his confidence and long-term career.
An example of poor quarterback protection could be seen during the Sunday night game versus the Seattle Seahawks back in Week 9. The Commanders were losing 38-7 with 7:39 left in the fourth quarter. There was absolutely no reason to keep Daniels in with a possible risk of injury. The 25-year-old quarterback then suffered a dislocated elbow in his left arm. The Commanders organization is very lucky he did not mess up any ligaments or muscles in his arm. With the recent mismanagement of Robert Griffin III, it’s hard to imagine why the team isn’t being more cautious with their young superstar.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 season was definitely not what Commanders fans expected. However, the future is still bright. With the 7th pick in this year’s draft, Washington has the potential to draft a superstar on the defensive side of the ball, such as Ohio State safety Caleb Downs or Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. Also, having Jayden Daniels on a rookie contract allows the front office to have the flexibility to sign young difference makers in free agency. With a solid offseason and better health from key players, Washington may be back in the potential playoff conversation next year.
