Being good and having a competently run organization has been a dramatic shift for Washington Commanders fans.
Some have embraced it fully. Others remain skeptical. It's taken a period of adjustment as the team has quickly gone from a bottom feeder to one that could potentially make some noise in the postseason.
Another example of this new mindset arrived just hours before the 2024 trade deadline. Just when it looked like the Commanders might stick with what they have, general manager Adam Peters seized the moment by securing the services of star cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints.
It was a stunning turn of events that ignited the fanbase into jubilation and delirium in equal measure. It was also a sign that those in power are fully embracing their new reality.
Not many thought the Commanders would be 7-2 at the midseason point. This was expected to be a rebuilding campaign where some progress was made. Something that could represent a solid building block for the future.
Plans change. Expectations rise. The Commanders are atop the NFC East and arguably three wins away from reaching the postseason once again. Adding the four-time Pro Bowler bolsters their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds in Year 1 of head coach Dan Quinn's tenure.
Commanders target playoff glory after Marshon Lattimore trade
Instead of shirking the challenge of going up versus the NFL's best, Peters loaded up with one of the league's premier shutdown cornerbacks. He gave up third, fourth, and sixth-round picks for Lattimore and a fifth-rounder, but it's a risk worth taking when one considers the potential benefits attached.
Lattimore instantly improves Washington's cornerback unit. He brings proven production and an ability to thrive in man coverage. This is the exact quality needed to thrive within Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense. Coupled with his exceptional attitude and never-say-die spirit, it's not hard to see why this is also a good cultural fit.
Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. The Commanders' future looks like a potentially prosperous one. However, all it'll take is a big injury or two to completely change the tide. That's a pessimistic outlook, but one only has to look at the Houston Texans this season as an example.
C.J. Stroud's offensive line has been decimated. He's lost Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs to injury. They are still 6-3, but residing in a weak division has worked in their favor once again.
That's why striking while the iron is hot was a smart move from Peters. He knows the hard work is just beginning and Lattimore doesn't solve every complication. At the same time, the Commanders are better now than they were this morning.
Considering the compensation attached to this transaction, it could be an outstanding piece of business. The Commanders weren't going to get a player of Lattimore's quality in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. They also had two picks at this stage of the process after shipping wide receiver Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles.
These are exciting times for the Commanders and their long-suffering fanbase. They might not win the Super Bowl this year, but trading for Lattimore indicates they're going to give it everything. This is the new reality, one that replaces perennial misery and abject failure.
Savor every moment. It's been a while.