The Washington Commanders must be in evaluation mode over the final six games of the season. It's the only viable approach with the team at 3-8 and staring down the barrel of a lost campaign.
That means seeing what the young guys can do. Adam Peters will regenerate the roster during the offseason, and he'll stand a better chance of figuring out what he has and what more might be needed if those on the fringes with potential long-term upside showcase their worth in the coming weeks.
And one radio pundit had a one player in mind.
Radio host urges the Commanders to get Ben Sinnott more involved down the stretch
Grant Paulsen from 106.7 The Fan implored the Commanders to feature second-year tight end Ben Sinnott more prominently in the passing game. He's seldom been seen so far. The analyst wants to see specific looks that suit his strengths, implemented by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. That's the only way Washington will find out for sure whether there is anything left to salvage.
"At some point here real soon — I'll give you another couple of weeks if you want to play this thing out — but as of three or four games left, I need you to start designing things for Ben Sinnott. Just going through a game where he doesn't get any targets isn't good enough for me anymore. One of my frustrations with the lack of under-center play-action stuff is that's where I think he could actually make a living, in 12 and 13 personnel with more tight ends and that little play-action bootleg stuff. I think that's what he does well."Grant Paulsen
Focusing on the growth of young talents like Johnny Newton and Ben Sinnott is crucial. Sinnott needs targeted plays designed for him. Leveraging under-center play-action could unlock his potential in 12 and 13 personnel formations. pic.twitter.com/5rGeJ8b45E
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) November 25, 2025
The Commanders didn't spend the No. 53 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft for Sinnott to become a bit-part player. Those in power thought he could fill the shoes of Zach Ertz down the line. With the Pro Bowler likely to depart via free agency or retirement this offseason, giving the Kansas State product an extended audition is a sink-or-swim scenario that will tell fans everything about his outlook.
If it doesn't work out, the Commanders will be looking for a new No. 1 tight end next year. They might even decide to keep Ertz around. What cannot happen is for Sinnott to remain an unknown quantity. That's nothing short of organizational malpractice at this juncture.
Sinnott has just three targets this season. He had five as a rookie. He is yet to drop a pass. Ertz is the top guy, but he's aging. The sooner Washington takes the training wheels off, the better.
And who knows, perhaps it could be the spark that finally ignites Sinnott into life. Stranger things have happened.