3 changes the Commanders' coaching staff must consider in Week 4 at Cardinals
The Washington Commanders are 2-1 and could be sitting at 3-1 against the Cleveland Browns in Week 5. Despite their two wins coming against teams that are a combined 1-6, this is still not something that the franchise has done in the past.
Not to mention that they have found a franchise quarterback they have been seeking for decades. The display Jayden Daniels put on on Monday Night Football has been the talk of the NFL, with many wondering what the rookie signal-caller might be capable of long-term.
It's too early. There are too many glaring holes on the roster for that type of talk to be happening yet. Have Commanders fans not learned that all it takes is one play for the trajectory of a promising quarterback's career to change? Football futures can be determined in the blink of an eye.
Even without injury, we will only see what Daniels is truly capable of once NFL teams have a lot of tape on him and begin to see how his mind operates. He is going to have some failures, and likely very soon. He will throw interceptions and fumble the ball. More will be learned about him with time.
If the Commanders want to show people what a great future could look like, they'll need to make a few changes to come out on top at the Arizona Cardinals. Here are three such examples.
Changes the Commanders' coaching staff must consider in Week 4
Commanders' coping without Austin Ekeler
One of the best additions of the offseason was Austin Ekeler. The veteran running back has made an impact as a runner, a receiver, and a kick returner. He will be missed this weekend in all three aspects after being ruled out with a concussion.
The Washington Commanders don't have another player that can fill the void. But there are ways that offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury can overcome this.
Washington has enough options to get creative and do some things other teams don't yet have plans for. On top of Brian Robinson Jr. and Jayden Daniels running the ball, perhaps this is a good time for the offense to keep revealing layers of what they could be.
That could be forcing Dyami Brown's hand to catch some screens or get an end-around or two. it could be giving Luke McCaffrey more attention after he showed some flashes in Week 3. Or maybe it could be showing overshadowed rookie tight end Ben Sinnott has a very bright future.
Another 100-yard receiving performance from Terry McLaurin would go a long way, but the Commanders must throw some things at the Cardinals aren't anticipating without Ekeler to depend upon. This is where Kingsbury has to make his money.