After finishing with a dismal 4-13 record in the 2023 season, the Washington Commanders are in full rebuild mode.
New Year, New Coach For Washington Commanders
Starting with a change at the top of the team, where rival Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, replaced Ron Rivera as head coach, and former Arizona Cardinals head coach, Kliff Kingsbury, replaced long time Andy Reid Lieutenant, Eric Bieniemy, as offensive coordinator, the Washington Commanders are moving in a fresh direction under new owner, Josh Harris.
The main changes, however, will concern player personnel, as the Commanders currently have up to 10 starters facing free agency next month, although conversely have the most cap space in the league with nearly $90 million to use.
It is fair to say after the entire team’s, especially the defense’s, exceptionally poor season in 2023, wholesale changes are expected across the board, particularly at defensive end, where Washington have a big void after trading their top 2 edge rushers, Montez Sweat and Chase Young, mid-season.
Who Will Be The Washington Quarterback In 2024
The biggest change for the Washington Commanders may well be the change at the most important position, quarterback.
Sam Howell, the Commanders’ 5th round pick in 2022, has proved to be a more than feasible stand in. Yet, there are certainly legitimate questions concerning Howell’s long term viability as a franchise quarterback, especially as the Commanders own the 2nd overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
So, throughout this offseason, the presumption has been that Washington will select a signal caller with the 2nd overall pick, likely selecting either LSU Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels, or North Carolina highly touted QB prospect, Drake Maye.
Could The Commanders Opt For A Veteran Presence Over A Rookie
However, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon reports that the Washington Commanders could be in for a potential reunion with none other than former quarterback and franchise tag-ee, Kirk Cousins.
Gagnon argues that a rare opportunity to sign, or indeed, re-sign, a bona fide top 15 QB, one who many consider a true franchise quarterback, if perhaps a little untrustworthy in the playoffs, could be too good for Washington to pass up.
And, if general manager, Adam Peters, decides that it is Caleb Williams, who is expected to chosen by the Chicago Bears come this April, or bust, then Washington could sign Cousins with their large amount of cap space, and trade out of the 2nd overall pick to help build future draft stock for the future.
Before tearing his Achilles in October, Cousins was playing at an almost top 10 level, and has demonstrated a consistent high level of play.
Will Cousins’ age be too much of a deterring factor for Washington, considering he will enter his age 36 season in 2024; or will the Commanders feel like their old QB is too much of an unproven commodity in the postseason to warrant a contract that may command upwards of $45 million.
Ultimately, you would imagine that Washington will most likely take advantage of resetting the rookie timescale and take one of Maye or Daniels, but it is not impossible that a reunion with Kirk Cousins comes into play, even with a rookie on their hands, if they want to attempt to work the Aaron Rodgers/Patrick Mahomes/Jordan Love strategy.
The pieces of the puzzle will start to be revealed in mid March when free agency begins, and Cousins will decide upon what may well be his final playing landing spot.
For Additional Content
Hello there. If you enjoyed this article (or, really, even if you didn’t). Please go and follow me on Twitter @danielarwas for more NFL breaking news, updates, and “special edition” previews.
Our Partners
Mayfield Sports Marketing
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for your corporate appearance or product promotion. Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired sports speaker. Mayfield Sports Marketing has earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes to speak at events and trade shows. To learn more about Packers players or alumni appearance costs and booking fees, please call us today. www.MayfieldSports.com.
Radtke Sports
Wisconsin Sports Heroics is proud to partner with Radtke Sports to offer autographed memorabilia. Brett Favre, Rob Gronkowski, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and MORE Guaranteed Authentic Collectibles and Memorabilia, including signed jerseys, photos, and more at www.RadtkeSports.com USE promo code: WSH for FREE SHIPPING on your purchase. Some restrictions may apply.
2 Comments
This is beyond stupid. Pass on one of the greatest drafts in recent memory for kirk “”choke but put up good numbers against bad teams” cousins. Dude is a career choke artist, not worth 40 mil/year. Draft a quarterback, Washington has the 2nd overall pick, for God’s sake
Change the name back to Redskins. Or lose forever. Your cursed.