#washington-commanders

#washington-commanders

Whether it's different lineups, different schemes, or altered in-game strategies, everything needs to be on the table for head coach Dan Quinn and his staff. We've already seen some creativity in terms of personnel adjustments, with the Commanders trying to get young linebacker Jordan Magee more involved and moving Frankie Luvu to edge rusher for most of Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The former standout offensive tackle, who was an integral part of the Hogs in the 1980s, has advanced to the next round in the Seniors category for induction in Canton. He is one of 34 veterans to make it this far. The list will be pared to nine semi-finalists in about a month. Jacoby played 13 seasons for the team now called the Washington Commanders from 1981 to 1993.

This outstanding first series came at a price. Commanders fans saw left tackle Laremy Tunsil hobble back to the locker room for additional tests. The elite blindside enforcer was officially listed as questionable to return with a hamstring problem. He did not come out for the second drive, with Brandon Coleman coming in to replace him after being activated for the first time since Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers.

Head coach Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. are closely linked from their time together on the Dallas Cowboys. Reports suggest the Commanders won't make a coordinator change in-season. However, no such assurances were made to the assistants working under him. Washington could be looking for a scapegoat amid the team's concerning slump. Considering how the secondary has massively underachieved, that puts defensive pass game coordinator Jason Simmons firmly under the microscope.

He's got it in the back of his mind that if he fumbles one more time, they're probably going to bench him. And when you think about his story, being a seventh-round pick, not knowing if he was going to get the chance to play at the NFL level, right now, I think he's just trying to play without making a mistake, and it's impacted the way he runs the football.

The Washington Commanders are reeling, with three straight losses dropping them to 3-5 in a season that started with hopes of a potential Super Bowl run. Everything has gone wrong. Injuries have decimated the squad. Age is catching up to trusted veterans, and the inexplicable regression of players who should be just hitting their primes hasn't helped, either. Most of the criticism has centered around the defense, but the offense hasn't been up to scratch either.

When he was signed by the New York Jets before the 2022 season, Jacob Martin told the New York Post, "I'm a total football player." That statement came five months after former NFL scout Daniel Kelly had essentially eviscerated the four-year veteran on Sports Illustrated. In his story, Kelly referred to Martin as one of the worst run defenders he had ever seen at the defensive end spot.

Baltimore might prefer to retain every proven weapon in hopes of salvaging an injury-ravaged season, but Andrews is no longer the steady playmaker that he once was, and Isaiah Likely is already here as the future at tight end. Andrews is also set to become a free agent after the season, meaning both sides could benefit from an early split. He'd make for a nice secondary outlet for a contender.

The bigger issue, though, is a defense that has looked old and slow. No one is off the hook, not even the Commanders' most trusted veteran leader. Bobby Wagner is a future first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the most significant catalysts behind the Commanders' culture shift under head coach Dan Quinn. He's still having a productive season in 2025 on the surface, ranking second in the NFL in tackles with 73 while adding two sacks.

Deatrich Wise Jr. and breakout star Dorance Armstrong Jr. - the team's starting defensive end tandem - have been ruled out for the season. Javontae Jean-Baptiste is also on injured reserve, leaving the Commanders with Von Miller, Jacob Martin, and Preston Smith as their three options currently. Even Drake Jackson was stashed on injured reserve immediately after signing to continue his recovery from a serious knee problem.

Rivera spent draft picks and money on free agents to solve his quarterback conundrum. None of those worked, and there was also an ill-advised trade to acquire Carson Wentz to factor in. This reeked of desperation at the time, and it went just as badly as fans expected. Wentz struggled to build momentum, and injuries didn't help. He lasted just one season in Washington before they cut the cord.

What was already a sizable list of injuries for the Commanders now includes star quarterback Jayden Daniels, who will miss at least Washington's next contest against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football with a low-grade hamstring strain. Still, injuries are no excuse for a team that entered the campaign with high hopes for another deep playoff run after last year's NFC Championship game appearance. Everyone must be better, and there are far too many players who are simply underachieving.

Adam Peters was aggressive last season, trading for veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore with the team sitting at 7-2 with a real chance to make an impact in the playoffs. That is not the case this time around. The Commanders are 3-4 with a brutal stretch of games upcoming. Peters could stand pat, which is the most likely scenario. He's spent a lot with mixed success.