The Washington Commanders shocked the world in 2024, going 12-5 and reaching the NFC Championship Game, one year after going 4-13. That amazing turnaround was fueled by sensational rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who would win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Unfortunately, that success felt like an outlier in 2025, when the Commanders finished 5-12. Injuries played a part in Washington's demise, as an older roster couldn't avoid the injury bug for a second straight season. But the most frustrating part was the injury bug impacted Daniels, too. The star quarterback missed 10 games with three separate injuries, and played only four from start to finish.
The Commanders made some big offseason changes, replacing offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury with former assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough. The goal was to get Daniels under center more and give him more help with the running game. Blough's approach should also open up more opportunities in the play-action game.
General manager Adam Peters did a good job last offseason of building around Daniels, trading for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and using a first-round pick on right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. While the center position is up for grabs, the offensive line, as a whole, is a strength entering Daniels' third season.
This offseason, it was about upgrading a putrid defense and giving Daniels more offensive weapons. The Commanders spent big on defense in free agency and used the No. 7 overall pick on linebacker Sonny Styles. Mission accomplished. Peters made aggressive bids for free-agent receivers Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs. While he missed out on them, he did sign versatile and athletic tight end Chig Okonkwo. Additionally, Peters brought back wide receiver Dyami Brown and signed veteran receiver Van Jefferson.
In the draft, the Commanders selected wide receiver Antonio Williams and running back Kaytron Allen.
Did Washington do enough around Daniels to improve in 2026? That's the question ESPN's John Keim recently answered.
Washington drafted receiver Antonio Williams in the third round. Williams mostly played in the slot at Clemson, but he showed the ability to win outside. The Commanders needed another playmaker and explosiveness alongside No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin.
They could also eventually sign Brandon Aiyuk -- though it remains uncertain when the 49ers will release him. And the Commanders did strengthen their defense, which will prevent the offense from needing to post big numbers every game. All of that will help Daniels, but until Williams proves himself, there will be questions.
It's hard to say if the Commanders did enough until the games begin in September. The Commanders had a mission we've repeated often this offseason: get younger and faster. They've certainly done that, and the roster is definitely better. While that should mean more wins, we still don't enough know what Washington's offensive and defensive schemes will look like.
Keim brought up Brandon Aiyuk. Once San Francisco eventually releases Aiyuk, he will likely be in Washington. Even if/when the Commanders get Aiyuk, it's fair to ask if they will see the version of him that was one of the NFL's best receivers before his 2024 knee injury?
San Francisco continues to play hardball with Aiyuk. While the Commanders are smart to wait this out, how much can you expect from Aiyuk if he isn't added until right before the regular season? Washington would prefer to get Aiyuk in the building with his potential new teammates during offseason work.
So did the Commanders do enough? We can't say they've done enough, but they've made moves. The key will be Daniels. If he gets back on track after what feels like a lost season, everything will look much better in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Did they do enough around QB Jayden Daniels?