The Washington Commanders are slowly putting the pieces in place during organized team activities. Some are already thriving under the spotlight, and the inevitable overreactions are surfacing from fans and media alike.
It's always good to have unrivaled optimism at this time of year. The slate gets wiped clean. Every team thinks they have a shot at making the desired improvements. Very few will legitimately be in the hunt, but hope is what makes following sports so great.
This can also bring complications. Hype can sometimes go too far. It can set teams up for a fall. It's a stereotypical delusion-of-grandeur scenario that can pile on the pressure in a hurry.
Commanders cannot believe their own hype this time around
The Commanders found that out to their cost last season.
They reached the NFC Championship game in Year 1 under head coach Dan Quinn. Fans and pundits quickly labeled them a Super Bowl favorite. The Commanders got ahead of themselves and paid the price, winning just five games en route to yet another high-end draft pick.
That brought everyone crashing back down to earth. Nobody is looking in the rearview now, and bold projections of a bounce back are rife. But after their 2025 capitulation, complacency cannot become an issue this time around.
And everyone knows it.
Those attending OTAs are sensing something different. The vibes were off last summer. That's not the case anymore, with established veterans setting the correct example and younger roster hopefuls willingly following their lead. There is a fierce desire to right a wrong, but Washington's situation remains precarious.
Are they better on paper? Sure.
Could the new coordinators provide the innovative ideas needed to excel? Most definitely.
Could it all go horribly wrong? Absolutely.
Let's just take things one step at a time. Harsh lessons have been learned, and things are looking up. At the same time, this is a gradual process aimed at hitting the ground running in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. It's also worth remembering that Quinn's squad has a gauntlet of tests to get through before their bye.
Things are positive right now, but the NFL is a fickle beast. Fortunes can change in wins and losses. In Washington's case, the stakes are higher than ever with jobs on the line if things turn sour.
Nothing is guaranteed. The Commanders have to prove themselves all over again. That is the message Quinn and his staff should be sending from now on, right until the regular season and beyond.
If it's received, the Commanders have a chance. Hopefully, the hype and positivity connected to this time of year won't fall short in 2026.
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