The Washington Commanders only have three games left of what's been a disastrous season. Their win over the New York Giants proved this squad is still fighting hard for head coach Dan Quinn, but shutting down quarterback Jayden Daniels sent a strong message.
It's time to start planning with the future in mind.
Obviously, the players are not interested in a high draft pick or throwing in the towel over their remaining regular-season engagements. All three contests come against bitter division rivals, so there is immense personal pride at stake. At the same time, Quinn must also recognize the need to allocate more responsibilities to those who could be part of the team's long-term plans.
This scenario isn't what Commanders fans expected before the season. They were dreaming of another Super Bowl run after reaching the NFC Championship game last time out, but injuries, poor consistency, and everything else that could go wrong have gotten in the way. Now is the time to evaluate before a pivotal offseason.
Quinn's been relatively reluctant so far. He's relied heavily on veterans he trusts over younger players looking to stake a claim. It's a contentious issue among the fan base, but the coach's loyalty cannot get in the way of what's the right thing for the team's future beyond 2025.
With this in mind, here are seven fledgling Commanders stars that must not be ignored by Quinn over the final three games.
Commanders players who must play more over the final three games of 2025
Jordan Magee - Commanders LB
Let's get the most obvious one out of the way first.
A changing of the guard could be imminent at the defensive second level this offseason. Unless the Washington Commanders plan to give veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner a new one-year deal this offseason, playing him for 100 percent of the team's snaps every week seems foolish.
Jordan Magee has flashed enough promise this season to suggest that he could be a potential starter with some extra polish next season. The 2024 fourth-round pick has all the physical attributes needed to be successful. There is some naivety from a positional standpoint, which can only be enhanced through live-fire reps in a competitive setting.
Magee only got 14 of those on the defensive rotation against the New York Giants, which is unacceptable. Dan Quinn will point to the Commanders' win over one of the league's bottom feeders, but that misses the bigger picture. And the former Temple star is suffering more than most.
He's proven highly capable of producing when his number is called. It's time to see what Magee can do from a prominent role down the stretch. If that comes at the expense of Wagner's involvement, so be it.