The Washington Commanders are moving forward with more innovative ideas after firing both coordinators. It's a bold move from head coach Dan Quinn, but he's confident these drastic measures can provide the springboard to a critical bounce-back campaign in 2026.
With David Blough expected to run a more pro-style offense, fans are anticipating significant personnel changes. The Commanders have their franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels. They also have a stable offensive line that could get all five starters back if left guard Chris Paul is extended. But the skill positions need to be upgraded for this plan to work.
Not everyone who's played a role under Quinn's regime over the last two years is going to get another chance. And for one injury-prone veteran, this offseason likely spells the end of his time in Washington.
Commanders cannot trust Noah Brown to stay healthy, and that's a problem
After flashing promise during his first campaign with the club, the Commanders gave Noah Brown another one-year extension. There were concerns after the wide receiver suffered a serious internal issue that required kidney surgery, but he was adamant that the worst was behind him.
Unfortunately, his luckless run on the injury front was just beginning.
The pass-catcher missed almost the entire offseason after suffering a knee injury. Brown got back to start the campaign, but he didn't even last two games before going to injured reserve. The Ohio State product played two contests in Weeks 14 and 15 before getting hurt again. And this looks like a good time for the Commanders to go in a different direction.
Brown will always be remembered fondly in Washington. He was the player who caught the Hail Mary miracle against the Chicago Bears in 2024, which propelled the Commanders onto a sensational run that eventually ended in the NFC Championship game. At the same time, Peters is not attaching emotion to his decision-making process, and the wideout cannot be relied upon to stay healthy.
That's the long and short of it, really.
What the future holds for Brown remains to be seen. He's got talent, both as an underrated route runner and in contested catch situations. He can stretch the field, and his wingspan is renowned for accumulating defensive pass interference penalties in his favor.
Even so, the best ability is availability.
This should be a straightforward decision for Peters. Brown is well-liked in the building, but giving him another one-year deal after so many injury problems just sends the wrong message.