The Washington Commanders: This Year’s Dark Horse Playoff Team?
Photo Courtesy: Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports.
After a disappointing 4-13 2023 season, the Washington Commanders are looking to turn their fortune around during the 2024-25 NFL campaign. With promising rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels being taken 2nd overall, the Commanders are hoping their woes at the position will be a thing of the past.
Photo Courtesy: Trevor Ruszkowski, USA TODAY
With 2023 now in the rearview, the Commanders are looking with their future in full view. Headed up by a new talented quarterback alongside the free agency acquisition of Austin Ekeler and the established wide receiver star Terry McLaurin, there’s reason for Commanders fans to believe in a possible turnaround. In an NFC East division that includes top cornerback play in Trevon Diggs and Daron Bland of the Dallas Cowboys and established veteran play in Darius Slay of the Philadelphia Eagles, it will be paramount for the connection of Daniels and McLaurin to develop quickly. For the first time since the Robert Griffin III days, Washington has a truly dual-threat at the QB position, which will open up the offense for the previously mentioned addition of Ekeler from the Los Angeles Chargers.
Photo Courtesy: Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press
On top of the changes to player personnel, the coaching staff from 2023 has been entirely revamped heading into the 2024 season. Dan Quinn, who has coached in a Super Bowl for the Atlanta Falcons and also served as a successful defensive coordinator for the Cowboys for the past three seasons, is the new head coach. Joining him at the offensive coordinator position is Kilff Kingsbury, former head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, who has been credited with the collegiate development of top quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray. Kingsbury will look to maximize the potential of the Heisman trophy winning Daniels. On the defensive side of the ball, Jack Del Rio has been shipped off and in his place Joe Whitt Jr., formerly a member of the Cowboys defensive staff with Quinn, will take over defensive coordinator responsibilities.
In a division that has not had a back-to-back champion since 2004, the Commanders could be a real dark horse to do some damage in the division and make a run for the title. At the very least, the groundwork is there for a sneaky 9-8 season and a wild card appearance.
