Adam Peters went all guns blazing into the offseason to put the Washington Commanders in a prime position for another deep postseason run in 2025. One NFL analyst believes they could even be the Philadelphia Eagles' primary threat when push comes to shove.
Nobody expected the Commanders to get anywhere close to the level accomplished during the first season under head coach Dan Quinn. Reaching the final four was miraculous in the circumstances, but this comes with increased expectations from a fanbase that's been starved of success for decades.
This was recognized by Peters. He knows the Super Bowl window for this sleeping giant opened sooner than anticipated. He also knows how vital maximizing Jayden Daniels' rookie contract is over the next couple of years before he becomes extension-eligible.
Almost every move had a win-now feel to it. Whether it was re-signings, free-agent additions, or bombshell trades, Peters turned over every stone to find instant-impact players in pursuit of keeping pace with and potentially surpassing the Super Bowl champion Eagles, who also happen to reside in Washington's division.
Commanders named Eagles' primary challenger after profitable 2025 offseason
Cody Benjamin from CBS Sports is anticipating the Commanders to be Philadelphia's most dangerous challenger, placing them No. 1 on his list before the 2025 NFL Draft. The analyst pointed to Daniels' exceptional transition coupled with trades for Deebo Samuel Sr. and Laremy Tunsil as reasons for this optimism.
"They got trounced in the 2024 NFC title game, but the fact they made it there at all speaks to the franchise-altering talent of Jayden Daniels, whose rookie-year dynamism was even more pronounced than, say, that of C.J. Stroud the year prior. Now Daniels has a sturdier left tackle in Laremy Tunsil and a Swiss Army knife in Deebo Samuel to help fill out Dan Quinn's veteran-infused lineup."Cody Benjamin
Everything looks good on paper. This is also the sort of environment that won't accept anything less than the highest standards after the Commanders set a lofty bar for themselves last season.
Complacency won't be an issue, not with the coaches and players in the building. Everyone is working towards a common goal and anyone not pulling their weight won't last long. The recruits all have talent, but the most important thing is finding the right characters capable of fitting into and adding to the culture.
There's a quiet confidence that the Commanders can push the Eagles right to the limit once again. It's not going to be as easy with a tougher schedule and a bigger bullseye on their back, but Peters rectified some glaring issues this offseason to give his team a fighting chance of progressing further.
Daniels proved how special he was during a rookie campaign for the ages. His flawless demeanor and ability to come through in the biggest moments turned the Commanders from a laughingstock to a legitimate contender. He's a bona fide superstar who's only going to get better now that the supporting cast on offense has improved drastically.
The hard work isn't over. Washington's roster needs a few tweaks before confidence in their hopes increases. But make no mistake, Peters is the right man for the job.
It's a different type of pressure. After so long languishing in the NFL wilderness, fans are savoring every moment.