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LANDOVER, MARYLAND – AUGUST 18: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with teammates after rushing for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on August 18, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
The Washington Commanders were as aggressive as any team in football this past offseason.
From blockbuster trades to splashy signings, general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn made it clear they’re not interested in slow-playing a rebuild. After Jayden Daniels led the team to a 12-5 record and an NFC Championship Game appearance as a rookie, Washington decided the time was now.
“The defense may hold the key to a deep run,” The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala wrote. “Lattimore is back to full health after dealing with a hamstring injury last year and is joined by rookie Trey Amos at cornerback. Coupled with a strong safety corps and bigger defensive line, the unit may finally be a safety net instead of a liability. But Washington’s future — in 2025 and beyond — begins and ends with Daniels.”
Headline moves?
Bringing in left tackle Laremy Tunsil, one of the league’s premier pass protectors, and versatile wideout Deebo Samuel to give Daniels another proven weapon. Those two deals alone signal how much Washington believes in its second-year quarterback.
Add in defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw, rookie tackle Josh Conerly Jr., and veteran edge rusher Von Miller, and it’s hard to argue they didn’t address both trenches.
Washington also managed to re-sign Terry McLaurin to a three-year extension and keep most of its own free agents. Continuity mattered, too — Kliff Kingsbury returns as offensive coordinator, giving Daniels and the offense another year in the same system.
On paper, that’s a contender’s blueprint. The question is whether it all comes together again in 2025.
And then there’s the schedule. Washington faces two trips out west, a game in Madrid, and a Week 18 showdown in Philadelphia against the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. That’s a gauntlet for even the deepest teams.
Marshon Lattimore is back healthy, rookie Trey Amos joins him at corner, and the safety group has more stability. Up front, Quinn has more bodies to rotate with Kinlaw and Deatrich Wise Jr. in the mix. If the defense can simply be consistent, Washington could become one of the more complete teams in the NFC.
Of course, everything still comes back to the quarterback.
Jayden Daniels’ Next Leap
Daniels already exceeded expectations as a rookie. But what happens in Year 2 could decide Washington’s season — and maybe the franchise’s direction for the next decade.
That’s not hyperbole. Daniels’ dual-threat ability makes him one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in football. If he takes another leap in processing, accuracy, and decision-making, he has the tools to vault into the top-five conversation — at just 25 years old.
And in a market that has gone so long without something real to cheer about, that kind of ascension would change everything.
The Commanders aren’t sneaking up on anyone this year. With a franchise quarterback in place, a roster stacked with veteran leaders, and one of the busiest offseasons in football, they’re clearly all-in.
The risk is obvious — age, health, and a brutal schedule could derail the hype. But if Daniels makes the leap everyone expects, Washington has the star power and depth to challenge anyone in the NFC, even the defending champion Eagles.
The Commanders finally have a quarterback who makes them relevant again. Now comes the hard part: proving last year wasn’t a fluke, but just the beginning.
Derek Hryn Derek Hryn is a writer for Heavy.com. He has extensive experience covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, along with providing expert fantasy football analysis for DraftKings and SB Nation. His work has been featured at Sports Illustrated, USA Today, NBC Sports, The New York Post, and others. More about Derek Hryn
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