List of Commanders’ QB opponents is great sign for 2022

The Washington Commanders’ 2022 regular-season schedule was released on Thursday night, and fans are already delving into predictions. Remember, we called dibs on 17-0, so nobody go stealing our ideas!

In all seriousness, the schedule release was very much a win for Washington, who’ll have the easiest slate based on their opponent’s 2021 record. For any curious, the combined record is 133-155-1, or a 4.62 winning percentage.

Of course, that could mean nothing. The NFL is a very fluid organization. Teams can transform their image in one offseason. If you’re not a believer in the opponent’s record narrative, you’ll definitely take solace in the list of quarterbacks the Commanders are set to face next season.

If you remember, last year was unforgiving in this regard. Between Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson and Derek Carr, Washington hardly caught a break in the QB department.

This year, though, is much different and offers serious optimism.

What quarterbacks will the Commanders play in 2022?

In a quarterback-dominated league, the Commanders weren’t going to avoid facing every superstar. But Aaron Rodgers and Deshaun Watson is a pretty fair trade-off, don’t you think? That’s it. Just two superstars over 17 games.

In term of inexperienced QBs, you’re talking about Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Davis Mills and potentially Trey Lance. Given Washington doesn’t play the 49ers until Week 16, it’s possible Lance has taken over for Jimmy Garoppolo by then. You also can’t rule out Desmond Ridder starting for Atlanta in Week 12.

Of course, Dak Prescott is a 9-1 against the Commanders as the Cowboys’ starter, but he’s not superman. Daniel Jones turned into prime Michael Vick against Washington last season, but we’re all aware of his deficiencies. And Jalen Hurts? Would anyone be shocked if the Eagles had a new QB next year?

As for the rest of the non-NFC East crowd, Washington will face Ryan Tannehill, Matt Ryan, Jared Goff, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota. While all of those gunslingers are proven commodities (maybe not Mariota), do they really strike fear into your heart like Mahomes, Brady, Allen and Herbert? Not even close.

Last campaign, you could make the argument the Commanders played against four future Hall of Famers in Brady, Rodgers, Mahomes and Wilson. You could even add Allen and Herbert into the mix based on career projections.

Yes, each of these QBs are capable of beating Washington and the opponent list means nothing if the defense endures breakdowns in coverage and struggles to generate a pass rush, but we’ll cross that bridge when the time comes. For now, though, it’s definitely OK to be excited about the schedule.