WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
2023 Record - 4-13
Head Coach - Dan Quinn
Key Additions - Austin Ekeler (RB), Jayden Daniels (QB), Bobby Wagner (LB), Michael Davis (DB), Jeremy Chinn (DB), Frankie Luvu (LB), Marcus Mariota (QB), Clelin Ferrell (DL)
Key Losses - Curtis Samuel (WR), Cody Barton (LB), Sam Howell (QB), Logan Thomas (TE), Kendall Fuller (DB), Charles Leno, Jr. (OL)
2023 STATS LINE
PASSING - Sam Howell (3,946 yards, 21TD, 21 INT)
RUSHING - Brian Robinson (733 yards, 4.1 ypc, 5 TD)
RECEIVING - Terry McLaurin (79 receptions, 1,002 yards, 4 TD)
SACKS - Johnathan Allen (5 1/2)
INTERCEPTIONS - Quan Martin (2)
OUTLOOK FOR 2024 - The Commanders have a new head coach with Dan Quinn taking over this season and their new quarterback looks to be first round rookie pick Jayden Daniels (LSU) with perhaps journeyman QB Marcus Mariota backing him up. A shakeup was needed for sure in D.C. and this year could be much different than the lackluster 2023 season.
Daniels will look to Brian Robinson, Jr. and Austin Ekeler (coming over from the L.A. Chargers) at running back and Ekeler has been very adept as a receiver out of the backfield throughout his career. The wide receivers include Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson along with tight ends Zach Ertz and John Bates. Washington averaged 19.4 points per game a year ago and finished 24th in total offense, averaging 313 YPG, but only gaining 93.6 YPG on the ground.
The defense was terrible, allowing the most points in pro football (30.5 PPG) and allowed 389 yards per game, which was also last in the NFL. The pass defense (32nd in NFL) gave up many big plays and the run defense was gashed for 127 yards per game, which ranked 27th overall. A mid-season trade of Chase Young and Montez Sweat contributed to the abysmal numbers, so this year the team brought in ten new players to try and shore things up on the defensive side.
The NFC East looks to be a two team race between Dallas and Philadelphia, but one never knows what each season will bring regarding injuries so there is nothing guaranteed. The Commanders will have a fresh approach with Quinn (the former Dallas defensive coordinator and also head coach in Atlanta) taking over and trying to instill new life into that poor defense. If Daniels can adjust to the speed of the pro game, he could be a pleasant surprise (look what C.J. Stroud did with Houston a year ago as a rookie quarterback) and help the offense keep the team in games. Washington lost six games by one score, but were handled rather easily in their other seven losses. That has to change if they want to be competitive in the NFC. It will take some time in all likelihood, but they have new players this year to help speed up the change.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Tampa Bay
Week Two - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week Three - at Cincinnati
Week Four - at Arizona
Week Five - vs. Cleveland
Week Six - at Baltimore
Week Seven - vs. Carolina
Week Eight - vs. Chicago
Week Nine - at N.Y. Giants
Week Ten - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Eleven - at Philadelphia
Week Twelve - vs. Dallas
Week Thirteen - vs. Tennessee
Week Fourteen - BYE
Week Fifteen - at New Orleans
Week Sixteen - vs. Philadelphia
Week Seventeen - vs. Atlanta
Week Eighteen - at Dallas
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