4 Commanders coaches on the hot seat entering the 2022 season

4. Ken Zampese, Quarterbacks

And it will fall on Ken Zampese to get the most out of this new QB talent. Like Scott Turner, Zampese has a lot to live up to. His father, Ernie, was integral in the creation of San Diego’s Air Coryell offense in the 1980s – the first truly modern downfield passing attack. (Sorry, Al Davis. You had a good seed, but Coryell and Zampese made it flower.)

Zampese has coached QBs at the professional level for almost two decades. He will need all that acumen this year. Carson Wentz has proven to press too hard when things begin to fall apart. Sam Howell is a very talented novice. Heinicke has physical limitations, but is a great team player. Zampese has to find a way to get the most out of the three talents (while maybe developing another youngster on the practice squad to boot.)

If he does, Scott Turner’s job gets a lot easier.

Let’s be honest. Professional athletes in high profile sports are always on the hot seat. Right now, with all the early optimism of a season waiting to be born, we are at a moderate simmer. But by Sunday evening, September 11, that could rocket to a raging boil. I don’t usually put too much emphasis on first games. It’s a long a season.

But if the Washington Commanders – newly branded, with a new quarterback – lose a home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in week one – lose against a team that has gone 4-29 over the past two seasons – then panic sets in. In truth, it shouldn’t, because it is still just one game in a long season. But that doesn’t matter. This town, this fanbase, this writer – will start breaking open the Four Roses, and not in celebration. I both drink and flambe with Four Roses. When you flambe, things get really hot.