Entering the 2025 season, the Washington Commanders were fresh off a Championship game appearance and one game away from reaching the Super Bowl. The team hadn’t reached the championship game in 35 years, holding the longest streak in the National Football Conference (NFC) at the time. But now, the Commanders find themselves 3-8, and are arguably one of the worst teams in the National Football League (NFL).
After Josh Harris bought the Commanders for $6 billion in 2023, he hired Head Coach Dan Quinn. Quinn came to the Commanders and immediately established a winning culture and took the team from 3-13 the previous year to 12-5 alongside a deep playoff run, with help from Quarterback Jayden Daniels, the 2024 NFL rookie of the year.
“He’s a players’ coach. All the rumors are true. He’s a great coach. He’s a great man,” said Commanders linebacker Von Miller.
After the success of the previous season, fans were optimistic heading into 2025. So, with the Commanders currently sitting at 3-8, what went so wrong?
The first reason is the team’s inactivity in free agency. This offseason, the Commanders made two major moves. One was to protect Jayden Daniels’ blindside by trading for Pro Bowl left tackle Larmey Tunsil, as well as adding a playmaker to the Receiver room by trading for Deboo Samuel. But outside of those two acquisitions, the Commanders only signed six other players, none of whom have made a large impact on the team.
Another reason is the lackluster drafting by Adam Peters for the past two years. Apart from Daniels, the Commanders have failed to draft any influential players. There have been flashes from players, like corner Mike Sainristill, but none have been developed into solid contributors for the team just yet.
Possibly the biggest reason for the Commander’s underwhelming performance is the number of injuries the team has been plagued with this year. Jayden Daniels has been battling injuries all season, missing two games due to an ankle issue, as well as dislocating his shoulder against the Seattle Seahawks. Daniels is expected to miss 3-6 weeks and possibly won’t return all season. All-Pro receiver Terry McLaurin has only played in four games, as he deals with a hip injury that has been lingering since week three of the season. Other important players, like corner Marshon Lattimore and defensive end Dorance Armstrong, have both suffered season-ending injuries.
Without Daniels, it’s unlikely the Commanders will even come close to making the playoffs. According to Playoffstatus.com, the team has less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs. Anything less than a miracle, and the Commander’s season is likely to fail.
“We have to be honest, and we have to be transparent. I don’t think we are who we think we are,” said Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota after the team’s 44-22 loss to the Detroit Lions.
It appears unlikely that the Commanders will be able to recapture the magic of the previous season, but with Daniels still only age 24 and with three years left on his rookie contract, the team can look to build around him, both in the draft and in free agency. Ultimately, Commanders fans may want to play the long game, not dwelling on the Commanders’ shortcomings this season, but being optimistic about the future.
