Even though the Washington Commanders are still fighting to salvage something from the campaign, as evidenced by their win over the New York Giants, they still need to focus on the future.
Fans are clamoring for younger players to get more involved. Head coach Dan Quinn has been reluctant more often than not, preferring to rely on the veterans he trusts fully to swing the pendulum in Washington's favor. But with only three contests left, the Commanders will never get a better chance to evaluate.
And there is one infuriating situation that is leaving fans completely perplexed.
Commanders' flip-flopping with Jordan Magee is impacting his development
The Commanders have been gradually ramping up Jordan Magee's workload in recent weeks. He logged 54.7 percent of defensive snaps against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14, which was encouraging. However, this newfound enthusiasm didn't last for long.
Magee got just 14 snaps versus the Giants — 20.6 percent of the team's overall allocation. Bobby Wagner, the aging veteran who will probably retire or leave the Commanders this offseason, was on the field for 100% of the defensive reps.
There is no excuse for this. None.
Quinn is a loyal guy. He's got a strong connection to Wagner, dating back to their time with the Seattle Seahawks. This is playing a role in his constant involvement, but unless the Commanders are planning to give the future Pro Football Hall of Famer another one-year deal this offseason, it's a pointless exercise.
Magee's flashes suggest he could have something to offer. His flip-flopping usage hints at a distinct lack of trust from the coaching staff, but the Commanders have nothing to lose at this juncture. Kain Medrano and Ale Kaho also remain on the fringes, which doesn't bode well for their respective futures.
If this is Wagner's final season before hanging up his cleats for good, Quinn wants to give him the dignity of going out on his shield, so to speak. At the same time, that cannot come at the expense of Washington's future, and the need to evaluate a linebacker who could fill the void left by the veteran cannot be overstated.
Magee is the strongest candidate by a considerable margin. He's got the athletic attributes, and he's learned a ton from Wagner. But the only way he's going to develop is with live-fire reps in a competitive setting. That will give him experience reading defenses, improve his discipline, and help him quickly decipher what's going on in front of him after the snap.
It seems simple for a team sitting at 4-10. And yet, Quinn's hesitancy paints an entirely different picture.