The offseason positivity around the Washington Commanders has noticeably shifted over the last couple of weeks. It wasn't the best end to training camp and the preseason, especially their joint practice and warm-up game against the Baltimore Ravens, and the concerns have now overtaken the optimism.
General manager Adam Peters attempted to calm down the situation during his media availability after the Commanders' initial 53-man roster was confirmed.
Peters acknowledged that passionate fans are what make the game so great. However, they were perhaps reading a little too much into it, and the front office leader remains highly encouraged by what he's seen and what is to come.
Adam Peters remains bullish about Commanders' chances of being competitive
And with the Commanders having a brutal opening to the campaign, Peters better be right.
“Obviously our fans are passionate, and you love to have passionate fans; that’s great. But there’s a lot of stuff we’re doing here that maybe they don’t see, and a lot of things I’m excited to see in a couple weeks. We couldn’t be more thrilled than to start our season where we’re starting it, and it’s going to be a great challenge, and we’re looking forward to it.”
This was a bullish outlook from Peters. But after how things unfolded during the previous campaign, talk is cheap.
The Commanders are in desperate need of a bounce-back campaign, and everyone knows it. They do have talent, and the introduction of two innovative yet inexperienced coordinators raises excitement. And with third-year quarterback Jayden Daniels now healthy, Washington will never be out of the fight.
At the same time, the worries are there for all to see.
Head coach Dan Quinn said they are still trying to work things out at center, which isn't ideal. Nick Allegretti is now back at practice, though he's missed vital reps over the summer after sustaining a calf strain on the first day of training camp. After him, sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin is the backup, but he's seen more as a development project.
The Commanders are also dealing with some injury concerns. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive lineman Johnny Newton are long-term absences. Cornerback Trey Amos will miss the first four games of 2026 after going to injured reserve, and edge rusher Odafe Oweh's status for Week 1 is also unclear right now.
Overcoming adversity is key here. Otherwise, speculation about big changes will only increase.
Peters and Quinn both know how high the stakes are this season. They also know how important it is to keep the fans onside.
But when push comes to shove, it's a results business.
Peters remains hopeful. Quinn had the same resolve. The Commanders' fortunes are hanging in the balance; there's no denying that. But if the top stars stay healthy and the new play-callers meet their billing, it would be deeply disappointing if Washington wasn't more competitive this season.
And when it's all said and done, that's all fans really care about.
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