4 false narratives surrounding the Commanders in 2023
By Dean Jones
What false narratives surround the Washington Commanders heading into a potentially franchise-altering campaign in 2023?
The NFL offseason seems to have gone past in the blink of an eye so far. This might have something to do with all the drama and speculation centered on the Washington Commanders thanks in no small part to the sale saga that is mercifully about to reach a successful conclusion.
It appears as if the Commanders won't be getting a call from HBO's Hard Knocks based on a recent report that suggests the NFL are bracing to force the New York Jets to participate against their will. That's one less distraction for head coach Ron Rivera, but it doesn't detract from the level of pressure on his shoulders with Josh Harris' ownership group overseeing matters closely.
This is a period of excitement and uncertainty in almost equal measure. Keeping things fully focused on the football side of things has been the primary objective all along, but there are some wild projections flying around that indicate things could go either way for Rivera and the Commanders next season.
With that being said, we took a look at four false narratives surrounding the Commanders in 2023.
Commanders didn't do enough to strengthen OL
Many believe the Washington Commanders didn't do enough to revamp their offensive line during the spring. There wasn't much money to throw around in free agency and those in power also ignored this critical area of the field in favor of drafting two-straight defensive backs to begin the 2023 NFL Draft.
That said, it's hard to look at their projected starting five right now and not think it's been solidified. There's a nice blend of youth and experience, with Sam Cosmi's switch to the interior something else that could help enormously.
Much will depend on their health and whether Saahdiq Charles can finally fulfill his potential. The Commanders have a decent tackle tandem and improved depth, so it would be a big surprise if legitimate progress wasn't made.