The Washington Commanders will be expected to return to at least respectable form this season. A nightmare 5-12 finish in the previous campaign served as a major wake-up call about where the organization really stands.
The Commanders were supposed to be rising Super Bowl contenders after quarterback Jayden Daniels' sensational rookie season in 2024 brought them to the NFC Championship game. Instead, he got hurt multiple times, and Washington's roster flaws exposed a team that was never as close as it looked.
General manager Adam Peters has done wonders in filling those holes on paper. Still, his moves need to translate to results on the field.
Commanders' resolute mindset is already coming across at OTAs
In that vein, the key to a turnaround isn't the new additions. It's those who were here last season.
With organized team activities underway, the mood in the Commanders' clubhouse is one of hunger to put the sour taste of last season behind them. At least, that's what NBC Sports insider JP Finlay is reporting via 106.7 The Fan.
"(Sam) Cosmi said that of the returning guys, we have an absolute fire under us because we know 5-12 is bad. I asked (Marcus) Mariota about it and he said we're going to let that fire burn all summer. And I think that's the right attitude."
For a team turning over so much of its roster, it's going to be crucial for Washington's veteran leadership to step up off the field. From the sound of it, players such as right guard Sam Cosmi and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota are already setting the tone.
There wasn't much the Commanders could do once things began to spiral downward last season. The injuries kept piling up, and they didn't have the personnel for immediate fixes. But this is a new year, and Washington will need all its newcomers and mainstays alike to play with passion under new coordinators David Blough and Daronte Jones.
Players like Cosmi and Mariota know what the standard is supposed to be. They helped set it up two years ago. They've been part of a winning culture in Washington. To them, a year like last year only reminds them that in order to sustain excellence, you need to truly fear failure.
Every single player who suits up for the Commanders during the 2026 campaign needs to have that mindset, whether they were part of the 2025 team or not.
And they'll need to put their money where their mouths are.
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