The Washington Commanders were a nice story in 2024 as nobody in NFL circles could have ever predicted they would finish the regular season with a (12-5) record and knock off the Bucs and No. 1 seed Lions to reach the NFC Championship game.
Now with 2025 inching closer, the Commanders are no longer flying under the radar. Seemingly overnight, Washington has morphed from one of the worst franchises in the NFL to one of the best. The NFL have the Commanders slated in six primetime games which is tied with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs for the most in the league.
Clearly the NFL is hoping that Jayden Daniels will take another massive step forward in 2025 and cement himself as the next young superstar quarterback in the league. Daniels was a massive reason for the Commanders success last season as he broke multiple records and won Offensive Rookie of the Year in historic fashion.
As soon as the offseason began, GM Adam Peters and the Commanders brass began making significant moves to bolster the roster. Based on the players they have signed and what they have given up, it’s clear the Commanders believe their Super Bowl window is right now.
The first major addition came in a trade with the 49ers to bring versatile WR Deebo Samuel to D.C. Samuel gives Kingsbury and Daniels another reliable weapon opposite of Terry McLaurin who can be used in multiple ways.
Then Washington pulled off a trade for 5-time Pro Bowl left tackle Larmey Tunsil in a move that nobody saw coming. Again, Peters was intentional about surrounding Daniels with both elite playmakers and protectors.
When the NFL Draft came around, the Washington Commanders used their first round pick on former Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr. who will anchor the right side of the line opposite of Tunsil.
There was a lot of emphasis focused on the offense in both free agency and the draft, but the Commanders did add key pieces on defense. They drafted former Ole Miss CB Trey Amos in the second round.
Washington added a few splashes on defense in free agency too like DT Javon Kinlaw and CB Jonathan Jones, while bringing back veteran staples like Bobby Wagner.
One of the most glaring questions all offseason has been focused on Washington’s plan when it comes to getting to opposing quarterbacks in 2025. Last year’s sack leader is now gone and the Commanders don’t have an elite pass rusher on the roster.
With TJ Watt currently in a contract dispute with the Steelers, Anthony Palacios of Last Word on Sports sees the Commanders potentially making a move to bring the Pittsburgh star pass rusher to D.C:
The offense was explosive with the undertaking of quarterback Jayden Daniels, and now with a new blueprint, they will be even more on fire as long as they can sign Terry McLaurin to a new contract. Whatever happens there, the defense was nothing special last year. Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner had their moments, but since they lost Dante Fowler Jr., they will have to find a somewhat close replacement to him, since he led the team in sacks. Watt is the perfect match for this defense and could turn this organization into a well-rounded team.
Read the full article here
