7 Commanders on the hot seat entering Week 1 at the Buccaneers
By Dean Jones
The Washington Commanders have a good chance to make an immediate statement in Week 1. Their trip to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won't be easy, not by any stretch of the imagination. However, there is absolutely nothing whatsoever for head coach Dan Quinn and his players to fear.
Nobody knows what to genuinely expect from the Commanders this season. There's been so many changes from top to bottom. That makes projections sketchy at best, so seeing the football product in a competitive setting will provide a better indicator of what this team might be capable of in Year 1 under Quinn's guidance.
The Buccaneers opted for no such turnover throughout the offseason. Todd Bowles stuck around as head coach after winning the NFC South. Top stars like Baker Mayfield, Lavonte David, Mike Evans, and Antoine Winfield Jr. were extended. They have familiarity and cohesion on their side, which only raises the stakes further for those in Washington who come into the contest with pressure on their shoulders.
With this in mind, here are seven Commanders on the hot seat entering Week 1 at Raymond James Stadium.
Commanders on the hot seat entering Week 1 at the Buccaneers
Kliff Kingsbury - Commanders OC
When Magic Johnson convinced Kliff Kingsbury to join the Washington Commanders after he looked destined for the Las Vegas Raiders, it represented a major statement of intent. However, many wondered whether the new offensive coordinator was deserving of such an opportunity so soon after he was fired as Arizona Cardinals head coach.
Kingsbury spent a season working alongside Caleb Williams at USC. He knows how to develop young quarterbacks and scheme his play designs around their strengths. That makes him a perfect figure to steer Heisman Trophy-winning gunslinger Jayde Daniels through a pivotal early transition as a rookie.
The microscope will be on Kingsbury, make no mistake about that. If the composed play-caller can begin his journey in Washington by overcoming a talented Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense with legitimate playmakers at all three levels, it'll go a long way to alleviating any remaining concerns about his appointment.