Everyone associated with the Washington Commanders was looking forward to turning the page quickly on the 2025 season. Nobody is going to benefit from examining the wreckage for long. And the stakes are immensely high entering general manager Adam Peters' third offseason at the helm.
Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for the Commanders this season. Injuries, aging players regressing, and younger players failing to meet raised expectations contributed significantly to their demise. Massive alterations are coming across the board, which will hopefully put head coach Dan Quinn in a better position to be more competitive when the 2026 campaign rolls around.
And now, the Commanders know precisely who they'll be playing when competitive action begins once again.
Commanders' 2026 season opponents bring different challenges that must be met
Washington's opponents are now set. Looking at who they'll face in pursuit of enhanced fortunes next time around only raises the stakes further to make the desired alterations this spring.
Home Opponents | Away Opponents |
|---|---|
Dallas Cowboys | Dallas Cowboys |
New York Giants | New York Giants |
Philadelphia Eagles | Philadelphia Eagles |
Los Angeles Rams | Arizona Cardinals |
Seattle Seahawks | Jacksonville Jaguars |
Houston Texans | San Francisco 49ers |
Indianapolis Colts | Minnesota Vikings |
Atlanta Falcons | Tennessee Titans |
Cincinnati Bengals |
The division should get stronger, which is just one of many problems facing Quinn. Washington will face five teams that made the postseason. Several others on the schedule appear to be legitimate bounce-back candidates. But the most crucial thing from Washington's perspective is getting its own house in order before worrying about anyone else.
There was no pressure on Quinn's job despite the Commanders winning just five games in 2025. One of the most significant reasons was that he hadn't lost the locker room. He'd also built up enough equity in Year 1 to get the benefit of the doubt. That'll suffice for now, but it's not going to wash if this slump turns into something more concerning next season.
The schedule also sees superstar Jayden Daniels going toe-to-toe with some of the league's most prolific signal-callers. Joe Burrow, Matthew Stafford, C.J. Stroud, Brock Purdy, and Cam Ward are just some of the non-division clashes he'll face. Hopefully, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft can rid himself of injuries and regain his status as one of the league's most dynamic players under center.
There is a long way to go, and a lot will change before on-field preparations for the 2026 campaign begin. The roster — and potentially, the coaching staff under Quinn — is going to look a lot different. Hopes are high that the right moves can be made. Even so, the margin for error has significantly diminished after a season that promised much but delivered almost nothing.