4 Commanders who must excel for potential playoff push in 2024

Jeremy Chinn - Commanders S/LB

The Washington Commanders let Kamren Curl walk for the Los Angeles Rams in free agency. Reports after the fact suggested that he didn't even get offered a new deal by general manager Adam Peters.

Washington's fanbase has been somewhat at odds with this, seeing that not only was Curl a feel-good story as a former seventh-round pick who came in and immediately began making a name for himself, but also remained a steady contributor. So why did they let him go with little fanfare attached and with no real sense of urgency to make him a tempting offer?

The answer is simple.

Jeremy Chinn is better. A lot better.

With all of the physical gifts one could ask for at the position, Chinn has been compared in physicality to Dan Quinn's former standout safety Kam Chancellor. That's a lofty bar to aim for, but the slight similarities are there despite things not going according to plan for the former second-round pick during his final campaign with the Carolina Panthers.

Chinn hasn't quite lived up to that billing. But to his credit, he has also been playing in Carolina. Now under the former Dallas Cowboys defensive staff, the versatile weapon will have a real chance to show what he can do when given the freedom to play as he has shown on occasion.

If Chinn can begin to show once more why he was once the runner-up to Chase Young in the 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year standings - combined with the new cornerback additions - this Commanders secondary could make a rapid transformation with Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. leading the charge.

With the help acquired across the linebacking corps, the secondary in Washington will be one of the key things to watch for them this season. The man commanding the back line will be Chinn, although Darrick Forrest will also fancy his chances with Curl no longer around.

Chinn is, without question, one of the keys to the Commanders' success this season.