Nothing much went well for the Washington Commanders last season. The page has been turned, with renewed focus, intensity, and urgency evident from the moment everyone began the early offseason program.
Improvements are expected. The Commanders have upgraded the talent at almost every position group, and the coaching staff also received a mini-makeover to spice things up. But if head coach Dan Quinn wants to alleviate some growing pressure on his shoulders, he'll need everyone to perform up to or above expectations to become more competitive.
It'll be difficult, but not impossible by any stretch of the imagination.
The margins will be much finer for the Commanders. They have more youth and energy after relying too much on aging veterans last season. Getting a better run of luck on the injury front would be beneficial, but there is a quiet confidence in the building that their 2025 disaster can be just a blip for this ambitious project.
Some will be counted on more than others, and there are concerns about certain areas of the roster. However, if these concerns can somehow become pleasant surprises, that might just be enough for the Commanders to mount another serious push for the NFC East crown.
With this in mind, here are five Commanders curveballs that could get the league's attention in a hurry when the 2026 campaign gets underway.
Washington Commanders curveballs that could put the NFL on notice in 2026
Commanders secondary
Aside from the wide receiver options outside of Terry McLaurin, arguably the biggest concern centers on the Commanders' secondary. General manager Adam Peters deprioritized this area of the field in favor of other groups throughout the offseason, but he believes a stronger front seven can help bring out more from the defensive backs at Daronte Jones' disposal.
He might be right.
Jones has already preached the importance of versatility and athleticism. Mike Sainristil, Trey Amos, and Amik Robertson have that in abundance. So do Quan Martin and Tyler Owens, who were reportedly taking snaps at the nickel position over Washington's offseason program.
The options behind them in the cornerback room are thin, but Peters has enough spare cash available for another dependable veteran if more is needed.
Free-agent signing Nick Cross will lead the safety room. He's a physical, tone-setting force in the middle of the field the Commanders lost last season when Jeremy Chinn left town. Will Harris is looking to bounce back, and Jeremy Reaves' energy will be a major asset.
The front seven will set the tone, but the defensive backs still have to cover and tackle effectively for this bold plan to work. It could go either way, but they have a shot at becoming a surprise some around the league don't see coming.
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