Senior insider preaches patience amid Commanders' optimism surge

Positivity is radiating around the Washington Commanders after decades of misery. Josh Harris' ownership group and some exceptional changes from top to bottom across the organization left fans dreaming of a brighter future. It might not happen right away, but it's evident this storied franchise is on the correct path.

Washington hasn't won any of their first two preseason games. However, the results don't mean that much. What's important is identifying problem areas and building on the encouraging signs heading into Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Projections are sketchy surrounding the Commanders in 2024. Some analysts anticipate head coach Dan Quinn to spearhead an immediate renaissance en route to a postseason berth. Others are less enthusiastic, tipping Washington for another high-end draft pick after the opening campaign under the new regime.

Commanders can excel long-term with Dan Quinn and Adam Peters

Patience is key. That's not easy for a fanbase who got dragged through the mud for more than 20 years. But it's something that can reap significant rewards according to Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated.

"There’s this—it’s still Year 1, and there’s a lot of work to do on the roster. The Commanders feel really good about where they’re at in the middle of the field. They know they’ve got a little further to go on the perimeter. The receiver spot is good, but at offensive tackle, defensive end and corner there remain questions that’ll probably take another offseason or two to solve. Until then, [Dan] Quinn and new GM Adam Peters are trying to get the most out of camp competitions at those spots between the guys on hand."

- Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated

Adam Peters and Quinn have a long-term plan in place. Harris and his wealthy benefactors are giving them every possible resource available to ensure their goals are met. This enhanced infrastructure was desperately needed and should help enormously. At the same time, the team's long-suffering support will be demanding improvements where it counts.

On the field.

The Commanders have a chance to make some noise this season. They've got a decent-looking schedule, so building early momentum is crucial. If the team accomplishes this and Jayden Daniels becomes the franchise-caliber quarterback capable of coming through in the clutch, it won't take long for Washington to emerge as one of the league's surprise packages.

Seeing is believing. Getting carried away at this time of year is the right of every fan. It hasn't come with much substance attached from the Commanders' perspective in recent years. That said, it's hard to deny that this time around feels a lot different.

Taking the rough with the smooth would be the wise approach. Panicking if things don't go well early isn't going to help. Staying the course and keeping the bigger picture in mind is imperative.

A dramatic offseason is almost over. We are just a few short weeks away from Washington's regular season opener. We're also about to find out if this newfound optimism is warranted or if this new power structure needs a little extra time to turn things around.

But make no mistake, the Commanders will be one of the most fascinating teams to watch in 2024.

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