6 games the Commanders must win on 2024 NFL schedule

Commanders vs. Bears - Week 8

The Chicago Bears were always going to draft Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, but were the Washington Commanders ever tempted to trade up? Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters wouldn't go public if they were, but there had to be some temptation. Especially since Kliff Kingsbury helped coach the quarterback at USC.

That connection helped Williams earn a reputation as a cut above even the marquee members of a loaded quarterback draft class, including Jayden Daniels. The latter can change the narrative by out-dueling his rookie counterpart in Week 8.

How Daniels fares against the only player drafted ahead of him will be a good early barometer of his progress in the pros. It will be easy to gauge both quarterbacks since they've each been surrounded by playmakers.

Zach Ertz, Austin Ekeler, and rookie pass-catchers Ben Sinnott and Luke McCaffrey join Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson to give Daniels an enviable supporting cast. Ironically though, Williams may not be envious. Not after the Bears drafted wideout Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick to pair with veterans Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore.

The latter routinely torched the Washington Commanders' defense when a then-winless Bears team dropped 40 points on Ron Rivera's men in Week 5. Moore snagged three touchdowns as part of a 230-yard receiving night.

This was the low point of the Commanders' overall dire season. It was final proof Rivera and Jack Del Rio weren't ever going to put a quality defense onto the field. Not after Moore did his damage with Justin Fields throwing the passes.

So maybe this rematch with the Bears will be more about Washington's revamped defense than Daniels? That said, all eyes will be on the top two picks and hopefully, the former LSU star topping another points fest.

Quinn can go ahead and save his best defensive effort for when some familiar faces visit town four weeks later.