After winning four games last season, the Washington Commanders under Dan Quinn came out firing to start the 2024 campaign. With a historic offensive performance right out of the gate, fans were quick to forget just how awful this team was over the last few years.
When a three-game losing streak and adversity struck the team, many wrote off what the Commanders had accomplished, myself included. There were questions about whether rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels had been figured out. If Kliff Kingsbury was hitting his usual December wall. If Terry McLaurin was a true WR1.
Let's not forget, nobody expected this team to be 8-5 and in playoff position heading into the bye week. Quinn has already matched the most wins in a season throughout Ron Rivera's tenure and is one triumph away from matching the most wins under Jay Gruden.
Let that sink in. The Commanders haven't been a good football team for more than a decade. Everything that this new ownership, front office, and head coach has accomplished is a win, regardless of how the season ends.
It's a testament to how quickly Washington has been able to change the roster after last year's laughable quote from Rivera.
"If we go 8-8-1 this year and he fires me and next year they win the division and 40 of the 53 players we drafted and it’s the same quarterback, I’m vindicated. Send me my Super Bowl ring."Ron Rivera via ESPN
That didn't age well. Every first-round pick made during Rivera's time with the franchise is now gone from the roster after those in power waived cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
Years ago, I wrote an article on "The Other Guys", where I talked about how Logan Thomas and Cam Sims (remember him) had stepped up for Washington. Who have been the unsung heroes for the Commanders in 2024?
Let's take a look.
Commanders unsung heroes at the 2024 bye week
Tyler Biadasz - Commanders C
Tyler Biadasz has not only built a strong friendship with Jayden Daniels but has done a good job protecting the rookie. The veteran center leads the NFL in offensive snaps played, yet has only allowed one sack and two penalties.
Last year's starting duo of Nick Gates and Tyler Larsen allowed a combined eight sacks and four infringements. In the Washington Commanders' bounce-back game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13, Biadasz led the team with an 85.6 grade from Pro Football Focus and was a big part of the team rushing for 267 yards.
The changes across the offensive line are a big reason why the offense has been able to take the next step this season. Biadasz's underrated contribution has played a significant role so far.