Optimism couldn't be much higher for the Washington Commanders after an unbelievable offseason. The franchise was gutted from top to bottom as Josh Harris' ownership group and others in positions of power began to lay more stable foundations. Drastic change was needed and the new regime duly obliged.
Fans are starting to believe again. Some alterations were subtle. Others were astonishing. But it's hard to argue that the Commanders aren't in a much better spot on and off the field heading into Dan Quinn's first season at the helm.
A sleeping giant is starting to awaken. General manager Adam Peters will be the first to admit this is just the opening phase of his grand plans, but the league is already casting some worrying glances in Washington's direction. That's arguably the biggest positive after Dan Snyder's neglect and toxic demeanor turned this once-proud franchise into a laughingstock.
Improvements might be rapid but don't be surprised if things take time. With this in mind, here are three severe overreactions from the Commanders' 2024 offseason.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels' early outlook
C.J. Stroud changed everything where rookie quarterbacks are concerned moving forward. His record-breaking campaign with the Houston Texans was nothing short of phenomenal. A new benchmark was set for others to potentially emulate. But it's also worth remembering this was an outlier rather than a common occurrence around the league.
Washington Commanders fans should bear that in mind when examining Jayden Daniels' production during his first season in a professional environment. The No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft made an impressive transition and seems to have everyone on board. However, those expecting him to replicate what Stroud accomplished in 2023 are asking for trouble.
Daniels is going to be an exceptional player. He'll have moments of outstanding promise next season, but there are also going to be some significant hurdles to overcome along the way.
The Commanders have questions to answer at almost every offensive position group. Unless they're answered convincingly, Daniels is in for a rollercoaster rookie campaign.
Commanders defense will become a top-tier unit
The Washington Commanders' defense was a complete abomination last season. Most analysts believed this unit could be among the league's most dominant thanks to the personnel available. They forgot to account for Jack Del Rio's uninventive schematic concepts and inability to maximize the athletic gifts at his disposal.
Del Rio paid the price with his job in-season, but it was too late to salvage anything. Ron Rivera assumed play-calling strategies and the same complications emerged. The Commanders failed to generate consistent pressure, were suspect against the run, and also gave up countless big plays in coverage during a dismal campaign.
Adam Peters set about rectifying this as a matter of urgency. Dan Quinn's appointment to the head coaching role comes with immediate upgrades to the system. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.'s no-nonsense approach is getting a positive response from his players. The personnel looks much improved following a flurry of activity during free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft.
These are positive developments. Some are starting to wonder whether the Commanders' defense can re-establish itself among the NFL's elite once again. That's a best-case scenario for all involved. It's also a major overreaction based on how things stand.
The Commanders have plenty of questions to answer defensively. Can veteran Jonathan Allen return to his old form? How will the team's new-look edge rushing options fare? Will their outside cornerback options become a weak link once again?
That's not taking into account the team's safety dynamic, Jamin Davis' reported role change, and the need to mesh a plethora of fresh faces into a cohesive unit in double-quick time. The talent is there, it's how they came together that represents the biggest stumbling block.
It would be a bitter disappointment if the Commanders' defense didn't show signs of life under Quinn and Whitt's guidance. At the same time, asking them to go from one of the league's worst to among the best is unrealistic.
Commanders can compete for the NFC East
It's been a long time since the Washington Commanders were a legitimate postseason challenger. They achieved one playoff appearance under head coach Ron Rivera, but this was almost by default after winning the division with a losing record thanks to how abysmal the NFC East was at the time.
That's not the case now. Something that makes Dan Quinn's life more difficult in pursuit of maximizing his second head coaching opportunity.
Some analysts and fans think the Commanders can make a run at the division if everything clicks right away. While that cannot be completely dismissed, this franchise must learn to walk before it can run. This is a gradual, long-term plan to join the league's best once again. More importantly, their rise needs to be sustainable.
The dismay would be evident if the Commanders didn't improve in some capacity. Asking them to join the race for the NFC East is pushing things.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys harbor hopes to make deep playoff runs next time around. Those within the New York Giants believe their defensive unit can propel them into contention. Where the Commanders fit into this dynamic is anyone's guess, but anything is better than the lousy record against their rivals during Rivera's final two years at the helm.
It's easy to get overexcited at this time of year. Washington fans deserve hope more than anyone after what they've had to endure throughout the last two decades of Dan Snyder's ownership. At the same time, approaching their first season amid widespread change with cautious optimism is the best route.
If the Commanders start well and take a few notable scalps, this can build into something more substantial. Until then, allowing the pieces to jel at their own pace and being competitive through fundamentally sound football in all phases is what fans should be demanding.
Expecting the Commanders to win the NFC East - or even be in with a shout heading into the business end of the campaign - seems far-fetched at this juncture.
