Brandon Coleman - Commanders OT
The Washington Commanders' aspirations for the 2026 campaign took an extremely concerning turn when five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps at training camp. This could rule him out for the entire campaign, leaving the club without arguably its best overall player.
Any team in the league would miss a player of Tunsil's stature. For the Commanders, this is all about finding the coping mechanisms to ensure quarterback Jayden Daniels' blindside doesn't become a weak link.
The Commanders brought in D.J. Humphries as a contingency plan. However, the coaching staff is confident that Brandon Coleman can provide the stability needed when it comes to the crunch.
Coleman started his rookie campaign at left tackle, so he does have some experience there. The TCU product looked healthy and sharp this summer, with some claiming he was winning the left guard competition before Tunsil's unfortunate injury. Even so, he simply has to thrive on the edge in the regular-season pressure cooker.
Luke McCaffrey - Commanders WR
The curious case of Luke McCaffrey goes on for another season. Only this time, he seems to be lower down the wide receiver depth chart than ever before.
McCaffrey came into the offseason with many expecting him to be the starting slot receiver. That quickly changed when the Commanders signed veteran Stefon Diggs and spent a third-round pick on Antonio Williams, leaving the Rice product fighting to stay relevant.
The fact that McCaffrey was on the field in Washington's final preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens spoke volumes. However, his eye-catching contributions as a kick returner gave him a reprieve. Now, this is about kicking on and finding a role in David Blough's new scheme.
Just what that'll be is debatable. McCaffrey knows how to get open, and he is a threat after the catch. But unless he can become more influential, speculation will once again rise about his future when the 2027 offseason arrives.
Dan Quinn - Commanders HC
There remains huge confidence in head coach Dan Quinn. He's a respected leader who's made the bold moves needed this offseason to get back on track. However, he is also experienced enough to know what comes next if he cannot make the Commanders more competitive.
This isn't Quinn's first rodeo. He's learned from previous mistakes and has taken swift action this offseason in his quest to get things back on track. The changes were met with a positive response from the players, who will be striving to take the pressure off their coach by improving results.
And that is the big key here.
It's a results business. Everyone knows it. And if they don't improve, Quinn's seat could heat up quickly.
The Commanders have a brutal opening to the campaign. They have to navigate this effectively before things get a little easier down the stretch. Quinn is showing the correct resolve. And hopefully, the only way is up from here.
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