Fans have been looking forward to this moment for some time. It's the closing stages of what's been a disastrous season, almost from start to finish, for the Washington Commanders.
It was a campaign that projected another deep playoff run and, potentially, even a Super Bowl win if everything went according to plan. Head coach Dan Quinn's squad hasn't come close to meeting the bar set in 2024, and some internal investigations into the team's failure are needed, if they haven't begun already.
There is just one game to navigate before attention turns to what will be a critical offseason for the club. General manager Adam Peters must be aggressive. He must find the pieces needed to get this roster younger and more competitive. He must also avoid the temptation to rely on aging veterans past their peak, as the strategy implemented last spring didn't yield the desired results.
Not everyone is going to come along for the ride. Some decisions will be more challenging for Peters and Quinn than others. And with only one contest left, some fates have already been determined.
With this in mind, here are seven Commanders players on the brink as their respective chapters in Washington are finally coming to a close.
Commanders players on the brink as their Washington chapter finally closes
Josh Johnson - Commanders QB
Nobody expected to see veteran journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson on the field this season. But the fact that he's started one game and will do the same in Week 18 is a microcosm of everything that's gone wrong for the Washington Commanders this season.
Superstar signal-caller Jayden Daniels has featured just seven times due to injury. Marcus Mariota, the dependable backup, injured his hand against the Philadelphia Eagles and will now miss his final two auditions to get another starting shot elsewhere this offseason. That left those in power turning to Johnson, a damning indictment of how Sam Hartman's development is perceived behind the scenes.
Johnson looked like a deer in the headlights when filling in for Mariota versus the Eagles. However, with some extra time to prepare, he looked a lot better on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys. If the experienced pro can do the same in the face of Philadelphia's exceptional defense, he may get a shot to be a backup somewhere else when preparations for the 2026 campaign begin around the league.
Either way, this should be the end of Johnson's second stint in Washington.
Andrew Wylie - Commanders OL
When it looked like Andrew Wylie's time with the Washington Commanders would fizzle out on the bench, he's likely getting the chance to start again. Stud right guard Sam Cosmi is on injured reserve, and head coach Dan Quinn revealed that center Tyler Biadasz will probably miss Week 18 against the Philadelphia Eagles with knee and ankle problems.
Nick Allegretti will man the center position, leaving Wylie at the right guard spot versus the Eagles' vaunted defensive front. It's a chance for the versatile lineman to enhance his claims for another deal. If not, putting out good tape for potential free-agent suitors becomes the primary goal.
Wylie was solid if not spectacular during his two seasons as the starting right tackle. The Commanders moved him to the fringes after trading for Laremy Tunsil and using their first-round pick on Josh Conerly Jr. Therefore, the veteran might be looking for a starting gig elsewhere next spring.
Von Miller - Commanders OLB
Von Miller was a desperate attempt by general manager Adam Peters to address the team's edge-rushing problems. Fans were concerned that the Commanders' front-office leader didn't give this critical area of the field the attention it deserved, and they were right.
Losing Deatrich Wise Jr. and Dorance Armstrong Jr. didn't help. Even so, the Commanders didn't have the dynamism or energy further down the depth chart to compensate for even the slightest setback.
Miller has been a constant. He also leads the Commanders with eight sacks, which is impressive considering the future first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer has been on the field for just 37 percent of the team's defensive snaps.
However, the Commanders need a complete rethink of defense across the board. Younger, more vibrant players are required to replace aging veterans. Nothing else will do, which will probably leave Miller on the outside looking in.
Chris Moore - Commanders WR
The Commanders only have Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey, and fourth-round rookie Jaylin Lane under contract in their receiver room next season. A couple who are out of contract may get a reprieve, but there are plenty of unknowns with just one game remaining.
Deebo Samuel Sr. is worth keeping, but much will depend on the money involved. Treylon Burks has also flashed enough for another go-around. As for the rest? Their respective futures aren't looking especially promising.
There were plenty of raised eyebrows when the Commanders kept Chris Moore on their practice squad after an up-and-down summer. Injuries meant he was quickly signed to the active roster, but the veteran has spurned almost every opportunity. He put together two mildly positive outings against the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, but that's about it.
Moore will be 33 years old by the time training camp rolls around. He shouldn't return.
Noah Igbinoghene - Commanders CB
Despite being the subject of trade speculation before the campaign and the 2025 deadline, the Washington Commanders opted to keep Noah Igbinoghene around. That decision proved correct, especially after the cornerback room was decimated by injuries to key personnel.
Marshon Lattimore tore his ACL and is probably done in Washington. Second-round rookie Trey Amos' encouraging first season came to an abrupt halt with a knee complication. That surged Igbinoghene from the fringes into a starting role once again.
There have been flashes of real promise from Igbinoghene. Unfortunately, these are less frequent than during his time as a starter in 2024. The former Auburn standout seems to lack confidence, which won't go unnoticed by general manager Adam Peters during his ongoing roster assessments ahead of a critical offseason.
His targets allowed, passer rating when targeted, and yards per completion conceded are all up drastically from last year. This might be a good time to let Igbinoghene take his chances elsewhere.
Jeremy McNichols - Commanders RB
Washington's running back dynamic might be worth another look in 2026. Chris Rodriguez Jr. continues to shine when his number is called. Seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt could be a feature once again in 2026 with some extra polish to his overall game. Although Jeremy McNichols has limitations, he's a core special-teams presence and widely respected in the Commanders' locker room.
That might result in another one-year deal from the franchise this spring. However, it could just as easily go the other way if general manager Adam Peters decides that more is needed in the backfield alongside quarterback Jayden Daniels.
McNichols, like many players, is now on the wrong side of 30. That is ancient by running back standards, so the Commanders could add another productive option with fresher legs to form a prolific tandem with Croskey-Merrit, and if Rodriguez receives another commitment.
It'll be an anxious wait for McNichols after the campaign concludes. And his future could legitimately go either way.
Bobby Wagner - Commanders LB
The Commanders' surge to the NFC Championship game last season wouldn't have happened without Bobby Wagner. His experience, poise, and ability to teach quickly became a driving force on and off the field. He raised standards considerably, and Washington rightfully gave him another one-year deal for his exceptional contribution.
Things haven't been so smooth sailing this time around. Wagner is still a supreme force in between the tackles and when tasked with generating pressure. Unfortunately, the future first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer is vulnerable when isolated these days, especially in coverage. Opposing teams have actively exploited this as a weak link, a sign that Father Time may have finally caught up to him.
Wagner will be 36 years old next season. The Commanders need to get younger and more explosive on defense. Nothing has been confirmed, but it would be a surprise if another deal were offered at season's end.