5 Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 2 vs. NY Giants

Jeremy Chinn - Commanders S

The Washington Commanders are expecting big things from Jeremy Chinn in 2024. He was a primary target in free agency and earned a starting safety role almost immediately following a smooth transition to a different environment. It's just one game, but much more is needed from the former second-round pick moving forward.

Nobody in the secondary covered themselves in glory during Washington's regular-season opener at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Quan Martin listed as questionable for Week 2, the onus is on Chinn to become the box safety enforcer Dan Quinn envisaged when he brought him to the organization.

It wasn't going to be perfect initially. Nobody expected it to be. Chinn didn't play much last season as he became an afterthought with the Carolina Panthers under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Growing pains were expected, but that doesn't detract from the need to make significant improvements during his competitive home debut at Northwest Stadium.

Chinn needs to be an instinctive playmaker at all levels of the field. How he's schemed is crucial, so it'll be interesting to see what Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. have up their sleeve.

Jonathan Allen - Commanders DT

Jonathan Allen is held to a higher standard than most. He's the Pro Bowl-caliber defensive lineman and locker room leader. Things didn't go well for the former first-round pick last season. There is a lot of hard work ahead based on his opening showing.

Allen looked like a shell of his former self. He couldn't wrap up oncoming runners and lacked the explosiveness needed to make a difference. There were also accusations of poor body language and failing to lead by example. That's arguably the biggest concern of all at this early stage of Washington's rebuild.

The Alabama product looked disillusioned and unmotivated during Ron Rivera's final campaign in 2023. Allen seemed to be rejuvenated following wholesale changes across the franchise this offseason, but the bad habits that crept into his game last time around were evident once again in Week 1.

A huge performance is needed from Allen this weekend against the New York Giants. He needs to set the tone and be the inspirational on-field presence this team needs. More importantly, the interior force must display the right attitude for others to follow.