5 Washington Commanders players on the hot seat entering 2024 season
By Dean Jones
There is positivity surrounding the Washington Commanders for the first time in arguably two decades. The changes were vast and no expense was spared to improve the infrastructure. They are set up for long-term, sustainable success at long last. Making strides in the regular season will only enhance this claim.
Dan Quinn and his accomplished coaching staff got everyone singing from the same hymn sheet. It was an intense preparation period for the group, who had to learn new schematic concepts and build back confidence. Adam Peters' ruthless roster building was necessary, but it made meshing so many new faces difficult heading into Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Fans are approaching the first year under this exciting new regime with cautious optimism. They want to see how things unfold over the first few weeks before making assumptions about their prospects in 2024. But for some on the roster, there is immense pressure to produce the goods with the surged urgency across the board.
With this in mind, here are five Commanders players on the hot seat entering the 2024 season.
Commanders players on the hot seat entering the 2024 season
Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE
The Washington Commanders need more from their edge-rushing options in 2024. Trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young left a gaping void to fill. Hopefully, the additions acquired throughout a busy offseason can compensate for the loss of two prominent figures on and off the field.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. has more pressure on his shoulders than most. The edge rusher played the best football of his career under Dan Quinn on the Dallas Cowboys. The head coach believes there is more to come from an established starting role.
This is a gamble. Armstrong's got some decent production as a rotational presence. Doing it as the protection's primary focus in a pass-rushing aspect is something else entirely.
Hopes are high surrounding Armstrong, who's relished the increased responsibilities throughout the summer. If he cannot meet raised expectations, the entire defense is going to suffer.