Everyone is writing off the Commanders before Week 1
Public perception has changed on the Washington Commanders recently. Is it fair?
Recent predictions suggest that the 2026 Washington Commanders are destined for a losing season in the NFC East. This gloomy outlook comes from various national media outlets and analysts who have expressed doubts about the team's chances. The concerns began after left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a triceps injury on August 8th. However, the command of the narrative shifted after a joint practice between the Commanders and Ravens, during which the offensive line was deemed "inoperable."
Several journalists picked Washington to finish last in the NFC East, including Nicki Jhabvala, Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Danny Parkins. Wright criticized the offensive line and the defense, while Broussard expressed concerns about both the offensive line and the defense. Parkins even went so far as to predict that head coach Dan Quinn could be the first coach fired.
However, these assessments may be premature. Washington invested significantly in their defense this offseason, hiring Daronte Jones, Brian Flores' top lieutenant, as the new defensive coordinator. Additionally, the offensive weapons the team has to work with this season are reportedly stronger than those of the 2024 team that went 12-5. While concerns about the offensive line are valid, attributing the entire team's struggles to last season's poor performance is a hasty conclusion.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
