5 Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 8 vs. the Bears
By Dean Jones
If the Washington Commanders want to be taken more seriously by their remaining skeptics, they must start beating teams with postseason aspirations. That quest begins this weekend against the Chicago Bears at Northwest Stadium.
The way Dan Quinn's men are ruthlessly disposing of lower opposition they'd have had significant trouble with last season is a sign of how far this project has come in such a short timeframe. Everyone around the league is looking at this franchise differently. Keeping it up is the next challenge, but the mindset and culture within the building are maintaining a sense of calm amid the ongoing adulation.
Washington is navigating some injury concerns heading into the contest. That puts the onus squarely on those available to step up and make a lasting contribution in a high-pressure situation on home soil. If they can do this, a 6-2 record heading into the midway point might not be too far behind.
With this in mind, here are five Commanders players firmly on the hot seat entering Week 8 against the Bears.
Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 8 vs. Bears
Zach Ertz - Commanders TE
Zach Ertz is showing everyone that he's got plenty left in the tank. Many wondered if the veteran tight end had gone past the point of no return performance-wise after how things went in 2023. His reunion with Kliff Kingsbury coupled with fully buying into the Washington Commanders' culture shift is leading to a late-career resurgence.
Ertz already has 25 receptions for 268 receiving yards and one touchdown through seven weeks. He looks fresh and reinvigorated, proving to be a chain-moving asset who can also make his presence felt in the red zone.
Being on the hot seat isn't just for those who could be threatened by demotion. It's also reserved for players the Commanders need a big performance from. That's exactly the case with Ertz this weekend, especially considering the quarterback uncertainty facing Washington heading into the clash.
Whether it's Jayden Daniels or Marcus Mariota manning the plate, Ertz needs to provide an assured, dependable target in pursuit of keeping things ticking over. He looks more than capable of achieving this feat looking at the way he's applied himself so far.