Adam Peters' meddling in coaching decisions
Coaches coach. General managers manage. When that dynamic becomes unclear, issues can surface quickly.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, one of the biggest problems between Dan Quinn and Adam Peters centers on the front-office leader's meddling in coaching decisions. This was also a problem last season, based on his findings. But as previously mentioned, winning can mask underlying resentment among influential figures.
That's not the case this time around. Peters was trying to influence coaching matters, according to the report. Nothing good comes from that, and Quinn is an old-school guy who isn't going to relinquish power willingly.
Schultz added that this was due to the playing time of some. Whether that involved who was or wasn't playing is undetermined, but it's not hard to see why tempers became frayed as the Commanders stumbled their way through a campaign that promised dreams of playoff contention and ended with the No. 7 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
This isn't the structure typically associated with successful NFL organizations. It brought up bad memories of Dan Snyder's constant meddling in team affairs during Washington's plunge to rock bottom. If the trend continues, one (or both) will have to go.
Commanders' management of Jayden Daniels
The Washington Commanders' problems ran deep this season. However, losing superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels for most of the campaign could arguably be the biggest catalyst behind their downfall.
Daniels couldn't stay healthy this season. A low-grade hamstring tear and a knee sprain didn't do him any favors whatsoever. The former LSU standout managed to shake them off quicker than expected, but disaster struck against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football.
Despite the Commanders getting blown out, Dan Quinn kept Daniels in the game. He paid a heavy price when the signal-caller fell awkwardly, dislocating his elbow in gruesome fashion.
The No. 2 pick in 2024 was on the shelf again, but the Commanders didn't place him on injured reserve. Daniels wanted to get back and did so in time for the road game against the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately, he took another heavy fall, reaggravating the problem.
Again, Daniels didn't go on the shelf. He was practicing in a limited capacity. But then, out of nowhere, Quinn shut him down for the remainder of the campaign.
The situation was managed poorly. Quinn admitted he made mistakes, but shutting him down so abruptly led to speculation that Adam Peters forced the issue. We don't know for sure, but this is unlikely to have helped matters.