The Washington Commanders were one of the worst teams in the NFL last year. They hold the second overall pick in the 2024 draft, and after the move they have made recently they are setting up for failure.
Commanders 2023 season
The Washington Commanders finished the 2024 season 4-13, the second worst record in the NFL. Their offense seemed up and down throughout the year with tons of yardage, but also lots of turnovers. Their defense was projected to be one of the best in the league but was very disappointing after losing key pieces like Chase Young, and Montez Sweat.
Offseason
The Commanders started their offseason by firing head coach, Ron Rivera. They then hired another defensive coach in Dan Quinn to replace him. At offensive coordinator they hired Kliff Kingsbury in hopes to elevate their offense, not knowing if they would move on from QB Sam Howell.
Washington also had many players heading into free agency, some of them being key players, including S Kamron Curl, and Kendall Fuller. Fuller has signed with the Dolphins, while Curl is still in free agency. It would be detrimental for the Commanders if they can’t bring back Curl on a new deal.
They also made some additions in free agency, including center Tyler Biadasz, running back Austin Ekler, linebacker Frankie Luvu, and defensive end Dorrance Armstrong.
Today the Commanders traded their quarterback Sam Howell to the Seahawks. The 23-year-old threw for almost 4,000 yards and 21 touchdowns, but also 21 interceptions in 2024. This means Washington will look to draft one of the top QBs in the draft.
New era in Washington
With losing key players and making new additions, this is a new era for Washington. The Commanders are now in one of the worst spots in the NFL. Its a similar situation to wee the Panthers were last year, likely throwing their rookie QB into a roster that is not built to win. Washingtons best position is WR, which will help their rookie QB, but the offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL, and without Kam Curl their secondaries is in a bad spot.
The Commanders had a ton of cap space and have made lots of signings in free agency, but most are aging players towards the end of their career, yes, they are good players, but they are not going to factor into future plans going through a complete rebuild.
Stick with Howell
I think moving on from Sam Howell was the wrong decision, I don’t think he was the franchise quarterback, but I think they should have built around him first as he was still on his rookie contract. Instead of drafting a QB at number two overall, they should have traded back and got a franchise tackle or edge rusher. Unless their plan is to be like the 2023 Texans, then the Commanders will most likely have another top five pick in 2025, where they could draft their franchise QB and have move pieces around him to succeed.
Hopefully Washington proves me wrong and their next QB is great, but if he is a bust the Commanders are going to be in a really bad spot.
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