The Washington Commanders as a franchise might not be playing for much other than division pride in the role of spoiler over the final three games of 2025, but for several players, the next few weeks are critical.
General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn are constantly assessing the roster, now more than ever. The power duo needs to find out where things stand and what improvements are required heading into a critical offseason, and everyone aside from the select few franchise cornerstones is on notice.
Fans are anticipating massive changes to the playing personnel this offseason. There might even be some alterations to the coaching staff. Nothing is guaranteed after such an underwhelming campaign, so how players perform down the stretch in the face of adversity will tell those in power all they need to know.
You discover more about a player's resolve in these situations. It's easy to put in the work and give maximum effort on the field when things are going well, as was evident last season when the Commanders advanced to the NFC Championship game. But when the chips are down, it's much more difficult.
And make no mistake, Peters and Quinn will be watching closely.
With this in mind, here are seven Commanders players whose futures will likely rest on their performance levels in the final three contests.
Commanders players whose Washington futures hinge on the final three games
Jake Moody - Commanders PK
The Washington Commanders have failed to find legitimate stability at the kicking position for years. It's been a constant source of frustration for fans, and general manager Adam Peters is still scrambling to find the correct answer to this ongoing riddle.
It's been yet another kicking carousel in Washington this season. Brandon McManus was signed and quickly released. The Commanders moved swiftly to sign veteran Matt Gay following his release by the Indianapolis Colts, giving him the most guaranteed money on a one-year deal for any kicker in NFL history. But his lack of accuracy, especially from long range, left Peters with no option but to cut him loose.
The front-office leader turned to someone he knows well, signing Jake Moody off the Chicago Bears' practice squad. They spent time together with the San Francisco 49ers, so the trust was already established. The 2023 third-round pick hasn't missed a field goal yet in five attempts, but he'll need to be perfect over the last three games to guarantee a stay beyond the campaign.
Whether it's Moody or someone else, the Commanders desperately need to find a consistent, sustainable presence at the kicking spot. The Ohio State product must deliver when his number is called.